Intel, one of the biggest employers in the State, is to train up to 6,000 second-level teachers in how to use information technology in their classrooms.
The Leixlip-based microchip producer will spend £750,000 over the next three years training the teachers. It is part of a worldwide training programme involving 400,000 teachers in 20 states.
The training in the Republic will be provided free in local education centres and is open to all teachers, regardless of their subject.
The course takes 40 hours to complete and consists of 10 modules. Microsoft will provide participants with free software and a small discount off a Dell computer.
An Intel spokeswoman said that after the 6,000 teachers were trained the company might extend the programme for another few years, although no decision had been made.
The Minister for Education, Dr Woods, said the programme was a very important development in teacher training and he thanked Intel for the scale of its commitment.
Intel said the aim of the programme was to help teachers to "effectively integrate the use of computers into their existing curriculum so that students will increase their learning and performance".
The general manager of Intel Ireland, Mr John McGowan, said: "Intel is not getting involved in this for commercial or profit-making reasons." He said that without trained teachers schools could not make effective use of technology.
The training will concentrate on ways information technology and computers can be used as additional tools in the classroom. Dr Woods said he did not see PCs replacing textbooks; they should be "complementary".
The Intel course - known as "Intel Teach to the Future" - has been recognised by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) in Dublin, which was set up by the Department of Education.
Teachers wishing to take the course have first to complete basic training in information technology at the NCTE or an equivalent institution. They then contact the information and communication technology adviser at their local education centre and enrol for the Intel course. Much of the material involved in the course will be available at the NCTE's website, www.scoilnet.ie
At the launch of the programme, Dr Woods said he could envisage computer studies being incorporated into the Leaving Certificate. He said computer skills would become like numeracy and literacy.
Emmet Oliver can be contacted at eoliver@irish-times.ie