Ireland intros teaching laptop scheme

Every classroom in Ireland is to get a teaching laptop, software and a digital projector over the next three years as part of a new EUR150 million (R1.6 billion) investment in “smart schools”, reports IrishTimes.

Speaking at the unveiling, minister for education Batt O'Keeffe acknowledged Ireland was playing “catch-up'' on technology for schools after years of under investment.

He expressed confidence the new EUR150 million, three-year package would be accompanied by the roll-out of broadband connectivity to every school in the state.

UK business secretary Lord Peter Mandelson plans to raise the level of technical skills in the country, so the economy can take full advantage of modern technologies, states Computing.co.uk.

Skills for Growth is a strategy which seeks to create a new class of technicians, and will see every adult in the country being given a "personal skills account" to help them manage and boost their skills as they shop around for training and employment.

Lord Mandelson says: "Higher level skills have never been more important to our growth. The strategy marks a radical shift in our skills priorities. It shows how we make sure we've got the skills to power the new industries and jobs of the future.”

Jamaica took another step in becoming more technologically advanced with the graduation of 395 teachers, who recently completed a course in ICT, says the Jamaica Gleaner.

The teachers were trained through a course conducted by Heart Trust/NTA under a project by e-Learning Jamaica Company and the office of the prime minister. The project calls for the training of some 11 000 teachers in ICT, of which 9 000 have been trained so far.

The course involves training in the use of various applications, such as word processing, database management and spread sheet.