Department of Education must introduce standardised rules for access to computer tech
Department of Education must introduce standardised rules for access to computer tech - The Labour Party
- New Leaving Cert curriculum is deepening inequality
Labour’s education spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD has called on the Department of Education to introduce transparency around the purchasing of technology equipment for secondary schools.
Following RTÉ reports that technology companies are providing hospitality to schools as a means to secure IT contracts, Deputy Kenny said there are serious questions about such contracts.
Deputy Kenny said:
“There’s no doubt that the changes to the Leaving Cert curriculum are succeeding in widening the inequality gap across schools nationwide. Education in Ireland should be free, however due to changes across classrooms, parents are being asked to pay enormous sums of money on laptops and tablets, paying up to €1,000 per child in some cases.
“What’s even more concerning is the lack of transparency over which contracts schools opt for. Given the widespread changes across the senior cycle level and the greater requirement for technology for pupils in schools, there must be a competitive approach to contracts chosen at a local level to ensure value for money for families.
“The cost of sending children to school places enormous financial burdens on parents and families through the country. Where once so-called voluntary fees, uniforms, stationery, exam papers made up the bulk of the costs, expensive tech like tablets and laptops are now also becoming the norm. This is not free education, and it’s not giving every child a fair start.
“Government constantly refers back to the Free School Books as a clap on the back, permanent cost of living measure, yet they have failed to ever recognise the new trend of purchasing IT equipment, which many schools simply cannot afford.
“The rushed nature of Leaving Cert reform means that issues like these were never fully fleshed out before implementation. Schools and families are now picking up a large tab for this lack of planning around student supports. The Minister must commit to addressing this without delay.”