§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish with regard to the sum he has allocated for the technology initiative in Welsh secondary schools(a) the method he used to inform schools, (b) the name of each school that submitted a bid, (c) the criteria used by his Department to determine the application and (d) the sum of money allocated to each successful school.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe Welsh Office wrote to all directors of education and chairs of governors of grant-maintained schools in Wales inviting bids under the initiative. A copy of the letter was also sent, for information, direct to the head teacher of all eligible schools in Wales. The closing date for bids is 16 July and I expect to be able to announce details of successful bids in early September.
Schools selected for support will be expected to show evidence of a capacity to establish a technological ethos which will pervade the curriculum as a whole, as well as delivering a distinctive offering in the teaching of technology itself.
Account will also be taken of the degree to which the school can demonstrate a commitment to developing links with local businesses and giving parity of status to vocational and academic studies. The project put forward should directly contribute to the achievement of the schools technology and staff development plans and add value and improve existing facilities at the school. Full details of these criteria are included in the letter sent to all eligible schools.