HC Deb 22 May 1996 vol 278 cc255-6W
29. Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to improve the competence of United Kingdom children in respect of information technology. [29123]

Mr. Robin Squire

The Department has given a central lead to the development of IT in schools since the early 1980s. Following Sir Ron Dearing's review of the national curriculum in 1993, we took the opportunity to make information technology a separate subject within the national curriculum. It is a mandatory area of study from five to 16.

Since 1990, financial support for IT in schools totalling over £132 million has been provided under grants for education support and training.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects to publish the results of her Department's statistical survey into the provision of IT equipment in schools. [30225]

Mr. Squire

The Department plans to publish the 1996 survey of information technology in schools in November. A press notice listing a schedule for the publication of statistics, including the IT survey, was issued on 28 March 1996.