Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
404. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to technology companies financially benefiting from schools purchasing devices in preparation for blended learning in which schools are requesting parents to pay for devices up front, including parents in receipt of social welfare; the suggested recourse for these parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17017/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Where the introduction of digital devices is planned, consultation with members of the school community including parents is advised. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made. It is important for schools, in conjunction with parents, to retain local autonomy for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements. In making this decision each school should refer to and reflect on the available information.
All purchasing undertaken by schools of exchequer provided funding must be in compliance with Public Procurement Procedures. Existing ICT purchasing Frameworks are in place operated by the Office of Government procurement for Desktop PCs/Notebooks/etc, with appropriately defined technical specifications. These Frameworks should be engaged with and taken advantage of as they simplify the process of purchasing ICT equipment for schools.
The Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) offers advice to schools and have developed an advice sheets on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of Laptops and tablets in schools. The information on their website outlines what these devices can offer schools to support teaching, learning and assessment, and facilitate students' active learning and collaboration. Specific items for consideration including software and hardware requirements, purchasing regulations, are addressed in the support information.
I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents, in relation to costs of digital technology, including Laptop/tablet devices, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. In 2017 a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs. This circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.).
My Department has put in place a range of supports for schools, teachers, pupils and parents to ensure development of appropriate policies and to raise awareness around the appropriate use of digital technology including the publication of the circular referred to requiring consultation on the issue of the use of digital devices in schools.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, sets out a plan to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment, and affirms that the use of digital technology can enhance the teaching and learning experience. The Strategy recognises that schools require investment in their ICT infrastructure. Funding of €210m has been committed to support the implementation of this strategy with €110m issued over the last three years and a further €50m has recently been issued in respect of the 2019-2020 school year.
In the context of the current public health crisis the funding can be focussed on assisting schools to address ICT needs including devices, software and other ICT solutions to support the provision of remote learning. This can include the purchase of ICT devices that can be shared with students who do not have access to devices, essential learning platforms and other ICT infrastructure to support the provision of remote learning.
