According to a study published recently by the European Commission, students and teachers across Europe are keen to “go digital”. However, though computer numbers have doubled since 2006 and most schools are now “connected”, digital skill levels and the use of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) are very uneven.
Worryingly, Ireland places consistently in the middle of league tables for graduates in the fields of science and engineering, and the quality of science and engineering education available. ICT structures are also average, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (the OECD). Austerity-linked budgetary restraints are likely to mean even less investment in the most modern equipment and teaching aids for Irish schools, and fewer possibilities for teachers to train up on much-needed skills.
This evidence runs contrary to a recent announcement by the Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton TD, and the Minister for Education, Ruari Quinn. They spoke at the announcement of a series of measures aimed at increasing the availability of ICT graduates in order to attract and grow ICT businesses in Ireland.
Part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, the changes have the ultimate aim of providing Ireland with the highest proportion of ICT graduates in Europe, as a share of third level graduates, by 2018. This year, a total of 2,000 additional ICT graduate-level professionals will be provided to employers through the education system and the employment permits system, all aimed at making Ireland “the Internet capital of Europe”.
Education the key
The importance of education was underlined by Neelie Kroes, the European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda. She said: “ICT skills and training must be available to all students and teachers, not just a lucky few. We want our young people exposed to ICTs in school from the very beginning, and we want teachers who are confident to share their knowledge.”
Her thoughts were echoed by Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. “We need to invest more in the development and use of ICTs in schools. Europe will only resume sustained growth by producing highly skilled ICT graduates and workers who can contribute to innovation and entrepreneurship,” she said. These sound like difficult tasks for a nation in the throes of austerity...
Upbeat on Ireland
Minister Bruton, however, was especially upbeat about Ireland’s prospects. “These changes are a win-win for Ireland,” he said, “and will help ensure that we can create a truly world-class ICT sector in Ireland, which will provide enormous benefits for the economy and large numbers of badly-needed jobs for Irish workers. I am determined that, through implementation of a range of ambitious reforms, we will deliver on our aim of making Ireland the Internet capital of Europe.” He was keen to stress that, according to international research, every high-tech job created leads to an additional 4-5 jobs elsewhere in the economy.
While the EC report noted that, from a technical viewpoint, tablets are replacing laptops and notebooks in European classrooms, technical issues are only part of the puzzle. “Teachers are generally confident and positive about the use of ICTs for learning. This confidence is key: skilled and confident teachers are more important than the latest equipment to delivering digital skills and knowledge…”, according to the report.
How the government intends to meet the challenge of improving technology and training in education while executing an austerity programme remains to be seen.
