Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

175. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17515/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The “Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, Enhancing Teaching, Learning and Assessment sets out a clear vision that is focused on realising the potential of digital technologies to transform the learning experiences of students by helping them become engaged thinkers, active learners, knowledge constructors and global citizens who participate fully in society and the economy.

The Strategy is organised around four themes:

- Teaching, Learning and Assessment Using ICT

- Teacher Professional Learning

- Leadership, Research and Policy

- ICT Infrastructure

The Strategy recognises the significant barriers schools face in embedding ICT in teaching and learning and these will be addressed over the period of the Strategy. Significant additional training focussed on the use of technologies for teaching and learning is planned. Extensive support will be provided on planning for the embedding of ICT in teaching and learning.

As a public body, the Department is required to follow Government procurement procedures in relation to the purchase of services to support implementation. It is an essential part of these procedures that contracts are only made available through a public procurement process. While schools are autonomous in their decision making, they are also expected to follow public procurement procedures.