Cowen hails €150m plan for laptop in every classroom

A €150m plan to have a laptop in every classroom in the country was launched today.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen revealed that despite the black hole in public finances funding will also be provided to give teachers digital projectors and software.

Mr Cowen maintained the multi-million euro scheme was a vital investment for the future.

“Government is making a strong statement,” said Mr Cowen.

“It’s saying despite the difficult economic circumstances we face we must invest in our young people.

“We must invest in information communications technology in our schools, both primary and post primary.

“We will work in partner with teachers, with parents, with students themselves and with the private sector in rolling out this ambitious and necessary programme.”

The Smart Schools = Smart Economy plan was launched at St Joseph’s National School in Terenure, Dublin

The Taoiseach said over the next three years schools will have their computer network updated with teachers trained for the new equipment.

The first €22m in grants will be issued this year.

Mr Cowen defended the decision to plough funds into the sector when the Government was coming under fire for planned cuts in the upcoming Budget.

“We have got to recognise that despite difficult economic times there are strategic decisions that have to be made about investing in the future of our children, the future of our students, the future of education,” he said.

“This is as big a competitiveness issue as far as I’m concerned as other more mainstream economic arguments that are made.”

However, Mr Cowen maintained the physical infrastructure of schools was also being improved.

“Four thousand schools in this country have received improvements or refurbishment or new build,” he added.

“There has been a revolution in the level of investment in our schools programme and rightly so because in the past, in far more difficult times, we were unable to provide practically any capital investment.

“So in the last ten years, it is wrong to say, that there hasn’t been efforts made. There were huge efforts made and huge efforts will continue.

“Total capital programme even this year is over €600m."