Northern schools have double South's computers [IrishTimes]
- Published: 04 January 2011
SCHOOLS IN Northern Ireland have almost twice as many computers as their counterparts in the Republic.
Figures published by the Department of Education inspectorate show a ratio of one computer for every five pupils in primary schools in the North.
By contrast, there is only one computer available for every nine pupils in the Republic.
Last night, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation claimed a “digital divide” now existed between schools in the two parts of Ireland. Its general secretary Sheila Nunan said: “Schools in the North are an example of what can be done whereas schools in the South are an example of what should be done.”
Ten years ago a new school computing initiative Classroom 2000 was rolled out to all schools in the North. Over that time it has delivered nearly 70,000 networked computers to schools.
In stark contrast, schools in the Republic could, according to Ms Nunan, “paper the classroom walls with glossy reports from Government on what can be done with technology in classrooms. In fact, the digital divide is widening because of a lack of investment and a coherent national plan.”
The union said Ireland would continue to lag behind the rest of the world until the Government “puts its money where its mouth is” and gave schools the resources to do what needed to be done.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
