Irish News introduces literacy project for children

The Irish News have launched a special school edition to bring the stories and making the news a new generation of younger readers, helping them understand the world around them and improve their literacy skills. Young News Readers is gripping the attention of pupils in a record breaking number of schools, who have added fun learning through reading the Irish News in class.

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The project was created as a partnership between St Mary’s University College and The Irish News and supported by CBI, the UK’s most effective and influential business organisations as well as Reach Stationary and the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).  

Young News Readers are learning to read the different types of articles in the news to help their reading and writing, and be able to discuss what they read with other pupils, parents and teachers.

Professor Peter Finn KSG, Principal, St Mary’s University College explained the project’s significance for younger readers calling it a ‘rich learning resource.’

“Critical literacy encourages young readers in both primary and post-primary schools to actively study texts.  It assists young readers in better understanding the local, regional, national and international news they receive from a variety of media sources.

“In an era of change and uncertainty, for example the issue of Brexit, the Irish News has established a collaborative partnership that provides teachers and their pupils with a rich learning resource to further develop critical literacy skills.”

Angela McGowan who is the Director of the CBI who represent businesses and industry said, “CBI NI is delighted to support the Irish News’ literacy project for young children.  Critical reading is an important part of a child’s development.”

“This experience works to support a child’s analytical and evaluation skills – both of which are highly valued in the world of work.  

“Our support for this project chimes well with the CBI’s support for breakfast clubs in disadvantaged areas.  The business community is well aware that investing in our young people today pays huge dividends when it comes to the future economy”.

The Young News Readers project was masterminded in the Irish News by John Brolly. He said, “The Irish News is delighted to be publishing our first school edition of the Irish News for use in our award winning Young News Readers project. 

“It is a significant investment in the literacy of our young people but with over 4,000 children already signed up it offers schools a great opportunity to engage with a unique learning through the news in the classroom initiative. 

“Our special school edition offers students a range of content from food, travel, business as well as local and international news. I would encourage all teachers involved with KS2 and 3 pupils to sign up – www.irishnews.com/ynr .”

Eileen Curry, the chair for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in Ireland said: “At CIM, we are delighted to be on board in supporting the Irish News’ literacy project for young children. As the professional body for marketing, we value skills and training development to encourage more people to consider a marketing career. We know how vital it is for young children to learn and improve their literacy skills as part of their learning development.”  

For more information regarding the project contact Irish News marketing manager John Brolly j.brolly@irishnews.com