Vol. 490 No. 7
80 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers who have to date been provided with training in use of computers in education under the teaching skills initiative of the information society plan; whether all schools to be supplied with computers under this plan by September 1998 will have sufficient numbers of teachers trained to optimise educational use of the computers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10958/98]
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.
