§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools now have access to a qualified computer technician. [3846]
§ Mr. Robin SquireTechnical support is provided by a range of public and commercial contractors and is a matter for individual schools. Surveys recently carried out do not differentiate between general and computer technicians.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers in United Kingdom schools have knowledge of, and the ability to use, computers. [3915]
§ Mr. SquireThe competencies set out in departmental circulars 9/92 and 14/93 require all newly qualified teachers to be able to make constructive use of information technology. The Teacher Training Agency is targeting the use of IT to improve pupils' achievements as a national priority area for the continuing professional development of teachers.
Details of staff trained in the use of information technology in schools in England are contained within the Department's statistical bulletin 3/95, reporting on a survey in March 1994. This indicates that seven in 10 staff in primary schools had undertaken one or more short in-service training courses in the use of IT. In secondary schools, 32 per cent. of teachers had received initial awareness training in the use of IT; 24 per cent. had attended one additional short in-service course; a further 27 per cent. of teachers had attended more than one additional short in-service course.
Information about schools in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State concerned.