Irish schools lag in computer access

IRISH students have far less access to computers and high-speed internet than those in most other developed countries because of poor Government funding, a confidential report has revealed.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) compared the availability of computers to primary and post-primary students in Ireland and a number of other countries in its overview of information and communications technology (ICT) use in schools.

The unpublished draft report concludes that low investment in ICT compared with other developed countries has made planning, both nationally and in schools, much harder.