Telecom Eireann is to invest £10 million over the next three years in providing Internet connections to every school in the State and other communications and computer services to some schools. This represents the largest investment in schools by an organisation outside the Department of Education. Introducing the initiative in Dublin yesterday, the Taoiseach said Telecom Eireann's decision was an important step towards ensuring "that every school-leaver in this country has computer literacy as a basic skill".
The Telecom initiative will provide a free Internet connection for every school; ISDN advanced telecommunications links to some larger schools; free Internet use up to a certain level; assistance to allow some schools in disadvantaged areas to obtain computers; and a central website to provide information and services of particular relevance to schools.
Telecom also plans to select about 40 primary and secondary schools to pilot emerging advanced technologies in education.
Mr Ahern said now was the time to reap the benefits of the opportunities offered by the new technologies. "Telecom Eireann's massive contribution through this education project and through their highly successful Information Age Town competition are perfect examples of how essential it is to foster a partnership approach to the development of the information society in Ireland."
It is understood the Telecom plan was initiated just three weeks ago and emerged largely from the company's experience of the huge impact of its Information Age Town competition. Its chief executive, Mr Alfie Kane, said "the importance and urgency of developing information technology in schools" had been highlighted in all the 51 town submissions received in that competition.
The Minister for Education, Mr Martin, said he would soon publish a "comprehensive policy framework" for IT in schools, which would include effective support services and in-service training for teachers.
He said the Government's philosophy was to encourage the private sector to invest in IT in education. Until now there had been no structure within the Department "to drive this forward" but two months ago he had set up a dedicated IT co-ordinating unit under a senior inspector.
Yesterday's announcement was welcomed by the unions. However, the primary teachers union, the INTO, said there had not been enough consultation and called on the Government to set up a council for information technology in education.
The main secondary teachers union, the ASTI, called on the Department of Education to match Telecom's investment. "Our schools need modern equipment so that students can avail of the full range of information technology facilities provided by Telecom Eireann," said the ASTI general secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon.