TENS of thousands of Irish students are being left behind in the digital revolution, and are losing out on skills to score the top jobs of the future, according to a confidential new report.
Years of under-investment has meant that Ireland has been "leapfrogged" by other countries as young people face a new era of fierce global competition for hi-tech jobs.
Surveys have already shown that much of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment in Irish schools is years old.
The report recommends
At least one laptop in every classroom, starting in infant and first-year primary school classes from this year.
Five desktop computers in every classroom, starting in 2010.
A Virtual Learning Environment network set up in the coming academic year at a cost of €5m.
Teacher training at the core of an investment plan for ICT integration in schools.
At the moment, usage of computers in Irish schools falls well below the EU average. And Ireland ranks at the very bottom in Europe when it comes to teachers' satisfaction with ICT infrastructure in schools.
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Computers for Irish Schools was set up in 2008 to route computers, which are not quite ready for the recycling bin, to Irish Schools. If you are disposing of office IT equipment contact http://www.cfis.ie/ to see if some of that equipment is suitable for the program and can be donated to your local school
1 comment:
Wow, that is sad that they have got behind on things. I hope they can catch up. This just goes to show how fast technology is moving and how fast many countries are adapting.
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