ICT funding for North Dublin Schools

Date: 15/10/2010
Posted by: Darragh

NORTH DUBLIN SECONDARY SCHOOLS GET ICT FUNDING BOOST

Secondary schools across North Dublin are to receive an essential funding boost for high-tech ICT equipment with grants of €1,700 and €6.45 per pupil being provided.

This funding is a great boost for schools in North Dublin. The grants from the Department of Education will be received over the coming days and will transform the technology on offer to students at post-primary level.

We can't have a smart economy without a smarter education system. This is why the Government is providing almost €21m for nearly 700 secondary schools nationwide. €1,700 will be awarded to all second-level schools built before 2009 and €6.45 per pupil will also be paid to schools. We are committed to making cutting edge technology an integral part of our classrooms and a similar announcement of €22.3m in ICT grants was given to primary schools last year. As part of this announcement DEIS schools will receive a higher basic grant of €2,550.

The Tánaiste is determined to continue with the implementation of the Smart Schools = Smart Economy Report and the 2008 ICT Strategy Report. While we're facing a tough budgetary process I believe the targeted funding for important initiatives such as this must continue.

The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) has advised schools of the appropriate equipment specification which should include a fixed digital projector and teaching computer.

I know from working closely with schools across North Dublin that technology must become an integral part of the learning process and this has to be done at an early age. This initiative will ensure our classrooms are better equipped for the times we live in.