An annual grant based on student enrolment should be made available to secondary schools to develop information technology in the curriculum, according to the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland. The president of the ASTI, Mr John Mulcahy, said without such a grant, existing social and economic inequities would worsen because a two tier system of "technology rich and technology poor" schools would emerge.
The proposal is contained in an ASTI submission to the Department of Education on information technology. "To date, the development of information technology in schools has largely depended on the enthusiasm and dedication of individual teachers and personnel in the Department of Education," said Mr Mulcahy.