DES Strategy on ICT is an embarrassing shambles

Children are losing out on learning opportunities because there is no coherent national strategy for technology in primary schools.  This was the message from IPPN Director, Sean Cottrell in his address to over 1,100 Principals and invited guests at Irish Primary Principals’ Network’s (IPPN) annual conference in Citywest Hotel, Dublin.  Mr Cottrell was ‘scathing’ of the Government’s disjointed and under-funded National Strategy for ICT in Education and called for an e-learning infrastructure that would enable children to use technology to access the curriculum.

For over 20 years through the efforts of Principals, teachers and parents, many schools have been using technology to enhance and diversify what and how children learn.  Through concerted fundraising and the expertise and skills of teachers and parents, many schools have made impressive use of technology in teaching and learning.  Sadly not all schools have been able to do this.  In the absence of a coherent national strategy for primary schools, we are a long way from having even a basic structure in place in all schools.  Given that internationally Ireland’s name is synonymous with the IT industry, it is simply inexcusable that we are so far behind.

‘If technology is harnessed appropriately in the classroom, it can make the curriculum come alive and enable children learn at their own speed and challenge level with materials that are appropriate to their needs. The curriculum needs to re-examined in light of these issues’ said Mr Cottrell.

Excerpt from Seán Cottrell speech

Given that the majority of jobs in which today’s primary school children will work when they leave school have not yet been invented, it is obvious that technology has to be harnessed for teaching and learning. Children in 2010 are what I would call digital natives, their only experience is of a world with digital and multi-media technology. Not all technology is good, but clearly education can be one of the greatest beneficiaries when it is harnessed properly.

In the absence of a successful national strategy, we are a long way from having even a basic sustainable ICT structure in place in all schools. Given that internationally, Ireland’s name is synonymous with the IT industry, it is simply inexcusable that we are so far behind. 

By the way Minister, how did €252 million for ICT in schools  suddenly shrink to €22 million? I am aware that we are currently experiencing deflation, but this is ridiculous! And, if you think a projector and an empty laptop in each classroom gets the Department off the hook, I’m afraid we have had one cake sale too many to forget who has really paid for technology in schools. I was both annoyed and amused when I heard recently that inspectors are now asking schools for their policy on e-learning! Will someone fill them in on the real story? What we need now is a leader. A leader who will deliver a simple ‘we’re going to put a man on the moon’ type speech. We don’t need any more committees or reviews. We need one simple goal. It might be something like ‘By the end of December 2010 every primary classroom will have an interactive whiteboard with internet access, technical support and approved software to support the teaching of one core subject’. Minister, in 2010, that’s not a privilege, it’s a right.