As I announced on 7 May 1998, the National Centre for Technology in Education has developed a comprehensive programme which will ensure that training in information and communication technologies in education is provided to 8,000 teachers in the current year.
Separate booklets for primary and for second-level schools, containing details on these ICT training courses, are currently being circulated to all schools. I also launched both of these booklets very recently. These courses are being provided under the teaching skills initiative outlined in Schools IT 2000. The training programme for second-level teachers will commence on 8 June 1998, while the primary teachers' programme will commmence on 1 July 1998.
I also announced on 7 May 1998 that £13.5 million will shortly issue by way of direct grants to all schools for the purposes of purchasing computer equipment. The provision of this level of technology, coupled with a comprehensive accompanying inservice programme for teachers in ICTs, will ensure that computers will have a very significant impact on our schools.