IPPN

Last Updated: Wednesday, 08 February 2012 15:28

Government must follow second-level ICT investment with plan for digital primary school classrooms

Primary schools must get high-speed broadband as part of efforts to create digital classrooms and prepare young people to take up new jobs in the information economy, according to the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), the professional body that represents over 3,350 primary school leaders.

IPPN Director Seán Cottrell made the call following the announcement by the Government this week that all second-level schools are to get high-speed broadband by 2014.

‘If the Government is serious about delivering what it calls a “21st century learning experience to all learners”, then it must start at primary level which is the foundation for recovery, jobs and prosperity in the future.

‘IPPN has long advocated installing high-speed broadband in our primary schools and we believe that digital classrooms are key to preparing young people for jobs in the high-tech sector where areas such as cloud computing and data analytics are emerging as the primary generators for new high-quality jobs,’ said Mr Cottrell.

He said chronic deficiencies in primary schools’ information communications technology (ICT) are limiting many teachers’ ability to equip pupils with skills for the digital age.

IPPN President Gerry Murphy said the Programme for Government places much emphasis on integrating ICT into teaching and learning across the curriculum.

‘Investing in broadband to give our schools access to modern high-speed networks must be a priority at primary level, too, where the effort to reboot our economy and create tomorrow’s workforce begins.

‘The Government must act now to create digital primary school classrooms because it is only when we take a holistic approach to education can we aspire to help our young people to fulfil their potential and give them a head start in life,’ said Mr Murphy.

ENDS