Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2011
39 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which modern IT available to the educational sector is on a par with the best available worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30434/11]
View answerIn relation to primary and post-primary schools, my Department pursues the integration of ICT into teaching and learning and the development of pupils' digital literacy through the ICT in Schools Programme. This Programme focuses on four key areas:
The provision of essential ICT infrastructure within schools (including in particular an investment of €92m over 2009 and 2010)
The provision of access to broadband connectivity to schools
Continuous professional development for teachers in ICT
Integrating ICT within the curriculum and providing curriculum-relevant digital content and software.
The Programme has been developed and implemented in consultation with all stakeholders and is currently guided by two key collaborative reports:
The ICT Strategy Group report "Investing Effectively in Information and Communications Technology in Schools, 2008-2013" (July 2008)
The "Smart Schools = Smart Economy" report (November 2009)
As I am sure the Deputy will be aware, the manner in which ICT is integrated into teaching and learning varies from country to country, in accordance with local priorities, educational structures and resources. There is no one benchmark model or single reference statistic against which an integrated and multifaceted programme of this nature can be measured. The collaborative approach taken in the Irish context has been helpful in ensuring that the Programme is informed by a proper understanding of the potential for ICT to enhance teaching and learning in general within the Irish education system, and of the kinds of skills needed for effective participation in 21st Century knowledge economies. I believe the Irish Programme to be very much in line with best practice in advanced economies globally.
For a detailed international analysis, the Deputy may be interested in the research report published on 23rd June this year by Eurydice, under the title "Key Data on Learning and Innovation through ICT at school in Europe". This report gives some insight into the range of themes in this area. In particular, it indicates that the ratio of 15-year-old pupils per computer in Irish schools (2.08) compares favourably with the EU median value (2.15). I understand that the pupil-to-computer statistics are based on information collected before the recent investment of €92m in schools ICT infrastructure, which has led to further substantial improvements in the Irish position over the last two years.
