numeracy

"In 2023-2024, females on average performed about a third of a grade worse in mathematics and numeracy than in 2018-2019," the report said.

Whether it is a Ms Rachel video, an episode of Peppa Pig or a literacy or numeracy activity, the issue divides children, parents and educators.

But they will only be taken by pupils in a sample of schools, rather than all schools, and will be used to assess Northern Ireland-wide performance in literacy and numeracy.

"If we're to get numeracy right we have to get the quality of maths teaching right first, because standards in mathematics are too low," she told members of the committee.

However, Multiply - which is aimed at adults wanting to develop their numeracy skills - will end in March.