National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2008

NLNW is an Australian Government initiative, run in collaboration with state and territory governments, which aims to:

• Showcase the hard work school communities are undertaking to improve literacy and numeracy skills
• Raise community awareness of the importance of all Australian students developing effective literacy and numeracy skills 
• Build on national initiatives to improve literacy and numeracy standards among young Australians.

Australian Government funding for NLNW is provided through the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Programme, National Projects element. The state and territory governments match the Australian Government’s contribution.

All Australians are encouraged to get involved with NLNW, but specific target groups include:

• Government and non-government schools catering for students up to Year 10
• Students
• Teachers
• Parents, grandparents and parent bodies
• Indigenous and multi-cultural communities
• Professional associations
• Businesses
• Local community organisations and charities.

Australians can take part in a number of key national activities to help celebrate the Week.  These are National Reading Day, the national numeracy activity Reach for the Stars and the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Schools can register to participate and be in the running to win some great prizes.

Many activities will also be held by local communities, supported by state and territory governments. To find out about these local events, and how you can get involved see your state or territory website.

There are four NLNW sponsors in 2008: 

• Australia Post  
• Franklin Electronics  
• Network Ten  
• Scholastic Australia