§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to seek to increase the effectiveness of microcomputers in schools.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy right hon. Friend is seeking to build on the achievements of the microelectronics education programme and to learn from its operation. The microelectronics education support unit, launched last year, is designed to disseminate good practice as widely as possible, through the development of curriculum materials, through support for teacher training, and through direct advice to LEAs and schools. The Council for Educational Technology, reorganised as from last year, will also be well placed to promote effective use of new technologies in schools.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied that teachers involved in the teaching of microcomputers are sufficiently well trained and motivated in their use.
§ Mrs. RumboldTraining is one of the keys to effective use of information technology in classrooms, and although well over half the teaching force has attended at least an introductory course since the start of the decade, there remains scope for a great deal more training—introductory, in-depth and updating. The training grants scheme for 1987–88 allows some £4 million as a national priority to enable teachers to go on courses related to IT in schools, and the microelectronics education support unit will give back-up to the trainers themselves.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to increase the number of microcomputers in primary and secondary schools.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Information Technology announced on 9 March a scheme to assist the purchase of microcomputers and peripheral equipment for schools. The Government are currently considering whether they should make further funds available for this purpose.