Ms Rita Sexton:

The Department and support services must be able to inform and provide support to school leaders. For example, this summer there is a new course available entitled Leading Digital Learning and Technology - Integration as a School Leader. We want to build on those supports for leaders in schools and the inspectorate will have a role to play. It is important that we have its views on how ICT integration works in school and it has sought CPD in this area. The first step, as part of the strategy, is for the PDST to upskill the inspectorate in ICT. That means the inspectorate will be in a position to comment on the use of ICT in schools when they visit schools over the next five years, an initiative which is in line with the ICT schools programme.

The e-learning roadmap was mentioned. It dates back to 2008 and we hope to update it in year one of the digital strategy. The roadmap is an important planning tool for schools.

The issue of coding in primary schools was raised today. As the committee will know, it is not a standalone subject in school but many teachers use it as part of teaching. The members are probably all familiar with a popular and visual coding tool called the Scratch programme. Teachers use the programme to teach literacy and numeracy skills and students do not realise it is coding. The PDST provides a summer course called Scratch for Literacy and Numeracy.

The issue of e-books was also raised. We are in regular contact with the Department of Finance on the issue. The rate of VAT charged for e-books is not the same as that charged for schoolbooks. It is an issue for ourselves and all of our European colleagues. There is a lobby building and, therefore, I think we will see changes down the line. We will work with the Department of Finance on the matter.