§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made in the measures taken to encourage general instruction in 260W computer technology in schools and colleges; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsIn schools there is a steady growth of courses in computer oriented mathematics and appreciation of computer techniques, and an increasing number of pupils have access to computers
Colleges of further education offer a wide range of specialised courses for various categories of computer personnel, and many non-specialist courses for persons who require some appreciation of computers and their operation. A growing number of advanced further education courses, especially in engineering, have computation as a necessary element; courses in mathematics, management and business studies include the study of computer techniques. The number of computers in colleges has more than doubled since 1965.
My Department has recently published a special information bulletin giving full details of computer courses in technical colleges, including a list of the colleges where they are provided. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.