The CBI has backed the government’s plan to focus on teaching English and maths in primary schools.
Children’s secretary Ed Balls this week announced a raft of measures in a £1bn package to help improve children’s lives in the next 10 years.
Along with an increased focus on maths and language skills, there will be more nursery places in deprived areas and the creation of adventure play parks.
Balls told MPs that his ‘Children’s Plan’ would “unlock the talents and promote the health and happiness of all children, not just some”.
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Richard Lambert, CBI director-general, said employers would welcome the greater focus on literacy and numeracy in the curriculum.
“The three Rs [reading, writing and arithmetic] are the essential building blocks for learning and success in life, both in and out of the classroom, but too many people currently leave school without mastering these basics,” he said.
