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The government is going to tell teachers how to teach the basics as part of a major overhaul of maths and literacy teaching.
Launched today the Literacy, Communication and Maths Strategy is aimed at reversing this country's 20-year decline in tests of maths, reading and writing.
It promises dedicated time for maths lessons and a focus on proven approaches to teaching children the 'three Rs'.
Here's our education correspondent, John Gerritsen and cameraman Samuel Rillstone.