New Connections - Department of Taoiseach

(6) Lifelong Learning(6.1) Blueprint for the Future of ICT in Primary and Secondary level EducationThe principles underpinning this initiative include the development of wiring-networkinginfrastructure in all schools; lowering the computer/pupil ratio; a further development ofteaching skills to fully integrate ICT into learning and teaching and facilitation ofsoftware/multimedia resource development for use in schools.ES• Enhance the use of ICT’s in Primary and Secondary level EducationUpdateUnder the Blueprint, a total capital grant aid of €78.72m was allocated for the supportof ICT in schools. Some € 45m of this allocation has issued directly to schools inDecember 2001 and May 2002. This includes a provision of over €5m specifically for theICT equipment requirements of pupils with special needs. A further phase of directcapital grant aid is scheduled for 2003. In order to measure the impact of BlueprintInitiatives and Schools IT2000 and assess how the sector has changed since the lastsurvey in 2000, the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) launched acensus of ICT infrastructure in schools in late 2002 to measure progress in ICThardware and software development, scope and usage and ICT training delivery in allschools.Recognising the key role of Principals in the successful use of ICT in learning andteaching, the Department, through NCTE and the Education Centre Network, organisednationwide seminars for Principals. All primary principal seminars have beencompleted and those for post-primary Principals will be completed before the end of thecurrent school year.The Government has also supported a programme of ICT training in which everyteacher in the country has been provided with the opportunity to gain the requisiteskills. To date over 75% of teachers have availed of this service.Whereas initial training had focussed on basic training, the NCTE are now entering aphase of course delivery more focussed to the use of ICT as a curriculum delivery tool.An additional €20m in the period 2001-2003 is allocated to fund a national advisory andsupport network for the initiative and for the provision of a range of additional ICTtraining for teachers.The NCTE is continuing to develop and disseminate software/multimedia resourcestailored for the Irish context. A number of initiatives are underway and some resourceshave already been disseminated through the education portal, ScoilNet.49