Vol. 497 No. 4
196 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who availed of and are availing of in-service training in this area of information technology in 1998; if he will give details of this training; the cost in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25331/98]
Approximately 8,000 primary teachers availed of the first phase of an introductory training programme in information and communications technologies which was delivered between April and August of this year as part of the Schools IT 2000 Project. Delivery of this programme to an estimated further 4,500 primary teachers is continuing at present. The main topics it covers during 20 hours of training are: use of keyboard and mouse, introduction to word-processing and educational software, introduction to the Internet and e-mail.
Approximately 800 primary teachers are availing of the second phase of the introductory training programme which also involves 20 hours of training. Many of these 800 teachers have already the attended the Phase 1 course. Apart from more advanced treatment of the topics addressed in Phase 1, the second phase also covers the following new topics: evaluation of educational software, classroom management with ICTs and basic first line maintenance.
The total cost of the training delivered to primary teachers in 1998 will amount to £1.6 million approximately, 25 per cent of which relates to once off initial set-up costs.
