Republic of Ireland www'education'ie

1
Republic of Irelandwww.education.ie/
2
Republic of Ireland

• Population 3.75 million
• Schools/Pupils/Students
• Compulsory Schooling - age 6 years to age 15
  years.
• First- Level ( for children ages 4 - 12)
• Number of schools - 3,286
• 50 of schools have 4 or fewer teachers.
• Number of pupils 439,560
• Number of Teachers 22,850
• 51 of 4 year olds are in school
• 98 of 5 year olds are in school

3
Republic of Ireland

• Second - Level (children ages 12 - 18)
• Number of Schools 751
• Number of Students 345,384
• Number of Teachers 24,611
• Estimated rate of transfer to Third - Level - 47
  
• Third - Level - University, etc.
• Number of Students 119,991

4
EU Response/Irish Government Response

• EU goal to establish Europe as the most
  competitive, dynamic knowledge based economy in
  the world
• Wide-ranging Irish Government Action Plan to take
  full advantage of ICT in promoting social and
  economic objectives

5
Education Policy

• Education policy is .. aimed at developing
  strategies that will produce an educated,
  informed, and skilled citizenry by improving the
  enterprise of education.
• This requires investment at all levels of
  government, as well as the engagement of the
  private sector, parents, teachers, and the
  community at large.

6
ICT in First and Second Level Education

• Policy Objectives
• Enhancing quality of teaching and learning
  through ICT.
• Providing Access to NEW learning opportunities
  with ICT.
• Promoting social inclusion.
• Raising digital literacy skills.

7
Key Elements of ICT Policy Programme in Ireland

• Funding of schools ICT infrastructure and
  Internet Access
• Provision of teacher training and support
• Facilitating school/ industry links.
• Generating digital resources and curriculum
  content
• Supporting innovative projects at school level
• Targeting the Digital Divide
• .

8
Funding Schools ICT since 1998

• Government capital investment in excess of
  120/145 million.
• Complemented by substantial private sector
  investment circa 40/48 million Euro.
• Schools given discretionary use of capital
  funding
• Over 20/25 million provided for Internet access
• 15/18 million provided for teacher training.

9
Progress Indicators

• Pupil computer ratios 111 at primary and 91
  at post primary level
• All schools connected to the Internet.
• Over 75 of teachers have received training for
  ICT use.
• Most school Heads have attended ICT planning and
  management advice seminars.
• Over 300 schools have participated in ICT in the
  Curriculum projects.

10
Policy Goals

• Pupil/ computer ratios of 81 at primary and 51
  at post-primary
• Broadband connectivity of at least 2 Megabits for
  schools
• Teacher Professional development in pedagogical
  use of ICT
• Enhanced role for ICT in curriculum and assessment

11
Strategy 2004 - 2007

• Funding of computer equipment and maintenance
• Phased roll-out of broadband for schools
• Enhanced role for ICT in curriculum and
  assessment
• Development of a National Education
  Network/Managed Learning Environment for schools.
• Teacher training/support in pedagogical use of
  ICT
• Digital divide ensuring access for all to
  appropriate ICT.

12
Research Questions

• Impact of ICT on Teaching and Learning in School
  Quality and Substance!
• Engagement of Teachers Changing Roles?
• Changing Technology More/Different available!
• Changing Nature of School and the Role of school.
• Lifelong Learning.
• Safety and Security for Pupils!
• Promoting Social Inclusion

13
Some Projects

• Dissolving Boundaries www.dissolvingboundarties.
  org
• DISC Dublin Innercity Schools Computerisation
  (DISC)
• Wired for Learning (IBM)
• The Line Projects Meeting the needs of young
  people At Risk- www.sip.ie
• SOLAS Regional Assistive technology Support
  Service.
• Open and Distance Learning for Circus and
  Fairground Families- www.sip.ie
• FIS The Film Project for Primary Schools.-
  www.iadt.ie/fis

14
Budget for Education 2004

• Total allocation 6,549m /7,990m
• Allocation to First Level 2,232m/2,723m
• Allocation to Second Level 2,347m/2,863m
• Allocation to Third Level 1,480m/1,806m

15
Provision for Disadvantaged Schemes,
2003www.education.ie

• Provision by the Department for programmes
  specifically designed to tackle educational
  disadvantage in the formal and non-formal
  education sector in 2003 was approximately
  460/560 million.

16
(No Transcript)
17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
Frank_Kelly_at_education.gov.ie