Primary schools unaware of ICT allowance

14-05-2007

by Emmet Ryan

The vast majority of Irish primary schools are unaware that they are entitled to over EUR5,500 in ICT grants according to a new study.

The report, entitled The Use and Effectiveness of Information Communications Technology in the Classroom, was conducted by marketing students at the Institute of Technology Tralee in association with education software firm Fluirse.

The survey targeted 1,530 principals and teachers in 512 schools Cork and Kerry. Over a fifth of these replied and the study found that 87 percent of primary schools in the region were unaware that they were entitled to ICT grants under a revised version of the Department of Education's Grant Scheme for Minor Works to National School Properties.

The scheme entitles schools to a EUR5,500 basic grant plus EUR18.50 per mainstream pupil and EUR74 per special needs pupil.

Tomas Finneran, a director with Fluirse, told ENN that the lack of knowledge amongst teachers was the result of a breakdown in communication between the Department of Education and schools.

"[The information on the grant] is on the Department's website, but from a school's point of view they might not be quite as internet literate, or they might not have the time or resources to enquire," said Finneran. He said following the survey Fluirse has written to every primary school in Ireland informing them of their grant entitlements.

"In the past few weeks we've become a hotline for school principals enquiring about what other funding might be available," said Kristian O'Donovan, a director with Fluirse.

The study found that while many schools were unaware of the availability of ICT grant aid, technology still plays a major role in teaching. Over 92 percent of respondents said they currently use software as a teaching aid in the classroom, with 56 percent saying they do so on a daily basis.

The report found that teachers aged between 25 and 30 were the most confident in their ability to use ICT, with 81 percent saying they were either reasonably confident or very confident. Teachers aged between 36 and 40 were the least confident with 17 percent saying they were not confident in their abilities.

"[The study] was a most worthwhile exercise, together with the I.T Tralee students, we gathered some very useful information which we intend to bring to the attention of the Minister for Education," said O'Donovan.

Tralee-based firm Fluirse was founded in 2005 and employs five staff.