The planned introduction of broadband Internet access to schools in the State will be of little benefit unless it is part of a wider strategy to integrate computers into school life, it has been claimed.
Last February the Government announced that all schools would have full access to high-speed broadband by September 2005. The "always-on" service allows audio, video, and graphics to be downloaded swiftly from the Internet, and is expected to increase communication between schools, nationally and internationally.
However, according to Information Communication Technology (ICT) Ireland, an IBEC-affiliated lobby group, the rollout of broadband is only one step in the development of digital literacy in schools here.
Although the Department of Education had made progress in upgrading ICT in schools, there apeared to be no strategic direction beyond 2003. This was a matter of extreme concern, said Mr Brendan Butler, ICT director.
A joint Government/industry approach to integrating ICT into education would mean it could consider areas such as PC penetration, curricular reform, and teacher training, Mr Butler said.
However, following meetings with Government officials to discuss such an initiative, progress had been "painfully slow".
ICT Ireland also believes every secondary school student in the country should have access to a laptop within five years, he said.