The Literacy Commission, launched today at a visit to a Gorebridge Primary School in Midlothian, includes representatives from education, business and the arts. Chairing the Commission is Judith Gillespie of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council while dyslexia expert Professor Gavin Reid has been appointed advisor. Amongst its membership are Ian McMillan, Director of CBI Scotland, Professor Tommy Mackay, Strathclyde University along with some high profile members such as Scottish novelist Ian Rankin.

The body will focus on Scotland’s functional illiteracy, or lack of literacy skills to operate on a day to day basis, estimated to be at almost 25 per cent. It will examine current good practice such as the progress made in West Dunbartonshire where a ten year pilot study authored by Professor Tommy Mackay succeeded in virtually eradicating illiteracy in primary school pupils.

Chairperson, Judith Gillespie said:

“As a parent I have watched how children who fail to learn to read start to fall behind and then get involved in displacement activities to hide their difficulty.

“We know that many of those in prison have poor literacy levels whilst the idea of a parent being unable to read the instructions on a medicine bottle must worry everyone. Literacy is not an option; it is essential for individuals and society.”

Ian Rankin added:

“Being able to read is something that every child in Scotland should be able to enjoy. Reading gives choices and chances to young people as well as opening up new worlds of books.

“I will play my part in working as part of the Commission and hope that its work might help Scotland produce even more successful writers than we already do.”

Labour’s Education spokesperson, Rhona Brankin said:

“Our vision is that Scotland can become the first country in the world to become fully literate. The job of the Commission that will include members from a range of interests including education, parents and business, will be to develop a national plan that will support those delivering education in Scotland to achieve a step change in literacy levels.

“If we look at what has been achieved in West Dunbartonshire we know that it can be done at Council level where illiteracy was eradicated over a ten year plan. The challenge for the Commission is how to achieve the vision for Scotland as a whole.”

Scottish Parliamentary Labour leader Wendy Alexander commented:

“Labour is the party of ideas for children. In the last six months our work on childhood, safe places to play and now literacy shows that we have the will and the desire to make Scotland successful for all our children.

“Eradicating illiteracy may appear to be a tough target but it’s one that has to won if Scotland is to truly flourish. The status quo is not an option and Labour will continue to listen and develop the policies that are needed.”