Schools to benefit from computers boost

Information and communication technology in schools will benefit to the tune of €109 million after a funding programme was announced today.

The three-year scheme aims to significantly reduce the current pupil-to-computer ratio, assist with training teachers and contribute to acquiring the most up to date software and hardware.

Minister for Education, Mr Michael Woods

Currently Irish schools have one computer for every 13 secondary school pupils. Eighteen primary school pupils share one computer. This compares favorably with the EU average of 12 pupils per computer.

Describing the pace if change in the ICT sector as "blistering", the Minister for Education, Mr Michael Woods said his vision was to "equip our young people to take advantage of these new technologies at the earliest possible stage in their education."

Almost €79 million will be allocated to capital projects for infrastructure. Every school will receive a basic annual grant of €1,905 for the next three years, topped up with €19 per pupil for the purchase of hardware.

An extra capitation of over €95 will be allocated for special needs pupils with extra grant aid for resource and remedial teachers. Special needs pupils currently share a computer with seven classmates.

Support implementing the plan will come from the National Centre for Technology in Education, who will also advise on purchasing policy.

Within EU schools, eight out of ten pupils have access to the Internet and half the computers used for education are less than three years old, a recent report has shown.

It also indicated that off-line computers are now used by the majority of European teachers.