HC Deb 05 February 1980 vol 978 cc141-2W
18. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he hopes to make his announcement, promised on 18 December, Official Report, column 263, about his help for a microelectronics development programme in schools and colleges, in the light of the latest public expenditure estimates.

Mr. Macfarlane

My right hon. and learned Friend expects to announce firm plans for a programme within the next few weeks.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what percentage of secondary schools currently owns microcomputers; and if he is satisfied that these are being used effectively;

(2) if he will make a statement about his Department's consultative paper for a microelectronics development pro- gramme in schools and colleges; what funds are being devoted to this area at present; and what future funding is envisaged;

(3) what advice is currently available to schools on the lessons that can be best taught with computers; and what steps he is taking to improve this advice and make it more widely available;

(4) what plans he has to set up a special unit to channel general advice on computers to schools and provide for teacher training;

(5) if he is satisfied with the present standards of software in computers in schools; and what steps he will take to improve such standards.

Dr. Boyson

My right hon. and learned Friend expects to announce firm plans for a microelectronics development programme for schools and colleges within the next few weeks. Depending on the resources which can be made available, the programme is likely to cover curriculum development, arrangements, for teacher training and the development and standardisation of software. Existing sources of advice on the use of computers in schools include the Schools Council, the Council for Educational Technology, the British Computer Society Education Group and the National Computing Centre. The results of the national development programme for computer assisted learning are also available. Detailed information about the percentage of schools using microcomputers is not available but a centrally funded development programme would be able to build on a growing number of promising local initiatives in assisting schools to make effective use of microelectronic technology.