TUI pleads for technology to be spared from cutbacks

THE Government has been urged to save school computer and technology budgets from the chop in cutbacks it ordered on education spending.

The call from the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) follows last month’s publication of two key reports for the Department of Education on information and communication technology (ICT). It recommended increased investment in training for teachers, educational software, modern equipment, broadband access and technical support for schools.

Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe has been unable, since taking office three months ago, to confirm if the promised €252 million spend on schools’ ICT under the National Development Plan will be rolled out.