To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what changes have been made to IT lessons in schools since 1997; what advanced courses are available to students who are particularly proficient; and if he will make a statement on levels of computer provision. [115128]
ICT is a priority for this Government and is compulsory for all pupils aged five to 16. We have put in place the infrastructure to enable schools to use ICT in teaching and learning across the curriculum by equipping schools with modern ICT facilities; creating a National Grid for Learning that provides a rich source of classroom materials and providing training for teachers through the New Opportunities Fund. Our Key Stage 3 strategy for 11 to 14-year-olds has a specific focus on teaching and learning using ICT. Our Key Stage 4 proposals for 14 to 16-year-olds include greater development of ICT skills through other subjects and greater opportunity for pupils to gain qualifications which recognise their ICT capability. Ofsted reports show ICT teaching is good in over three primary schools in five and is generally sound in secondary schools.There is a range of courses designed to allow students to demonstrate their proficiency in ICT. For students who wish to develop their skills as advanced ICT users, the GCE A level is available. Alternatively, the GCE A level in computing is appropriate for proficient students with aspirations of becoming ICT specialists.In 2002 there was an average of one computer for every 9.7 pupils in primary schools and one for every six pupils in secondary schools. This compares with one for every 17.6 pupils in primary and one per 8.7 pupils in secondary schools in 1998. Over 100,000 teachers have received a computer through centrally-funded initiatives such as the Laptops for Teachers scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on his Departments strategy for developing information and communications technology in schools. [115250]
Proposals for a cross-sector strategy for e-learning will be published later this year. However, Fulfilling the Potential, a document clarifying the directions we would like schools to travel with information and communications technologies, and the outcome we seek, was published on 21 May 2003. Copies of this have been placed in the Library.