Call for school computer investment

THE Government spends barely one-third per student of the amount allocated in England on computers and technology in schools, business organisation IBEC has claimed.

It suggested that, despite massive increases in Department of Education funding for schools information and communications technology (ICT), even more must be secured in this week’s Budget if investment is to be brought in line with elsewhere in Europe.

According to ICT Ireland, IBEC’s hi-tech representative body, the average €40 per student derived from the 2007 planned spend of €32 million on capital and current schools ICT compares to €110m-per-head spent in English schools.

The comments come despite a planned €10m increase in current spending in education technology next year.

“While any increase is welcome, total spend remains utterly inadequate and significantly behind that being invested in England,” said ICT Ireland director Kathryn Raleigh.

“The current estimates do not reflect this reality. While we very much welcome the investments being made available to implement new technology subjects in second level, it is vital that technology is integrated into the entire curriculum, not just as a stand alone subject,” said Ms Raleigh.