A CO Mayo secondary school is getting rid of schoolbooks and replacing them with iPads.
St Coleman’s College in Claremorris, Co Mayo, came to the ground-breaking decision recently after several weeks of consultation with teachers, students and parents.
The iPads will be phased into use from September, when all 90 first year students at the college will be given the option of using the Apple machine instead of a bag full of school books.
Each iPad will be furnished with a suite of learning apps at an estimated cost of €700 for the full package, but with the price spread over a three-year period, the value for money cannot be ignored, according to the school principal Jimmy Finn.
“It is a bit of a unique idea, but we have to continue to move with the times.
“We received huge support from the teachers and parents for the idea – we had 96 per cent support – but in no way is this obligatory.
“Parents have the choice to go with the iPad or schoolbooks like it was always done.”