IPPN

Last Updated: Tuesday, 06 March 2012 11:05

• Survey shows 23% of schools’ broadband connections are unreliable
• Primary education needs multi-annual ICT budget 
• Government must not neglect small schools 

The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), the professional body that represents over 3,350 primary school leaders, has called on the Government to extend its high-speed broadband plan for second-level schools to the primary education sector.

Seán Cottrell, IPPN Director, said that while the plan announced this morning was welcome for Irish education, it must be extended to primary schools where the foundations for recovery, jobs and future prosperity are laid.

According to a recent survey by IPPN, 23% of schools’ broadband connections are unreliable.

‘The challenge for Government is to establish a multi-annual budget for ICT in primary education, with high-speed broadband, laptops and tablets, reliable networks and practical technical support among the essential ingredients.

‘Based on our economic circumstances, some will question the affordability of an ICT investment plan - but, in my view, a better question is: can we afford the cost of not making this investment?,’ said Mr Cottrell.

He said many primary schools are struggling to administer the salaries approval system for part-time and substitute teachers, with many of them having to bring data home because the broadband access is so poor.

‘The Government’s focus on broadband for second-level schools could be interpreted as another signal that it is intent on closing our network of small schools which uphold high educational standards and form the backbone of many rural communities.

‘Surely it would be more cost-efficient to roll out broadband to primary schools at the same time as the Government is funding its installation in second-level schools staring along the west coast,’ said Mr Cottrell.

He urged the Government to set targets for the delivery of an ICT-based curriculum where the teaching of each subject is mainly delivered by means of technology.

‘The Government should set a target whereby one subject in the curriculum - for example, maths - be taught through technology in every classroom in every school from September 2013.

‘This would focus all minds on a single objective and create momentum toward the delivery of a digitised curriculum,’ said Mr Cottrell.

Gerry Murphy, IPPN President, said ICT-based learning has been shown to benefit children with exceptional abilities, as well as those with special needs.

‘The challenge for teachers is to “raise the bar” in children’s achievement levels and “close the gap” between the highest and lowest achievers, regardless of their social or economic background.

‘In weighing funding options, the Government has chosen to prioritise second-level schools while depriving primary schools of necessary investment at a time when it is cutting resources in disadvantaged areas, reducing capitation and threatening to close small schools.

‘While we welcome all advancements in ICT in education, the Government must consider how it is deploying resources so that those most in need are prioritised and equal access to high-quality education for all our children is assured,’ said Mr Murphy.

ENDS