Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
125. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she or her officials will consider a recently published study (details supplied) which highlights issues regarding device accessibility and best practice; if she will consider the findings in relation to ensuring schools have a coherent policy to ensure devise access and equality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13445/22]
View answerBuilding on 2015-2020 Digital Strategy for Schools, and following an extensive consultative process with stakeholders and having regard to best international practice, the Department will shortly be publishing a new Digital Strategy for Schools. The continued availability of high quality digital content and how digital technologies will continue to support accessibility and inclusion in the school system will form part of the new Strategy.The Department will also continue to fund the provision of broadband connectivity to all schools.
Under the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management has responsibility for the direct governance of a school, including developing policies on inclusion, accessibility and technology deployment. Schools are best placed to determine the most appropriate solution to to support the learning needs of their students based on the school's own context and circumstances, and in accordance with their Digital Learning Plan. There is however an extensive range of resources, advices and supports available to schools to help develop policies and practices on the effective use of digital technologies in teaching and learning. My Department will work with the National Disability Authority, the body with responsibility for the implementation of S.I. No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020 (including W3C WCAG 2.1 Standards) referenced in the study to develop appropriate information for schools on this SI.
It is noted that specific reference is made in the referenced Study to the Department’s education portal www.scoilnet.ie and its extensive range of digital content. There are currently in excess of 23,000 curriculum tagged resources available on this portal that can be used by schools and teachers to support teaching and learning. The site, and other sites created by PDST Technology in Education on behalf of the Department, adopt an ‘inclusive design’ principle. Scoilnet’s content is completely free to access. The Department through the PDST Technology in Education is also an active member of the EU’s European Schoolnet initiative which is a collaboration of 34 European Ministries of Education that seek to implement best international practice and bring innovation to teaching and learning.
In general the Department does not have a role in approving or endorsing any content from the educational publishing sector. The Irish Educational Publishers Association (IEPA) meets with the NCCA in order to discuss the curriculum and to be made aware of any requirements in the curriculum. However, the content of any individual textbook/resource is determined by the publisher themselves.
