Tech grants allocated to two Offaly primary schools

It was good news this week for two primary schools in Offaly as the Education Minister announced the allocation of grants for high-tech classrooms. Educate Together National School in Tullamore will receive a grant of €22,000 under the fast-tracked permanent accommodation scheme. St Kieran"s NS in Clareen near Birr, will receive a grant of €10,000. According to the Department of Education, the money is being provided based on the amount of additional permanent classrooms provided in 2008. Educate Together moved to a new school building recently containing eight new classrooms and St Kieran"s got two extra classrooms. Announcing the grant, Education Minister Batt O"Keeffe said the primary schools in which major construction work was completed in 2008 will each get €5,000 per classroom to buy computer hardware, software and digital equipment. 'The grants will enable schools to equip their new classrooms with appropriate technology to integrate information communications technology (ICT) into teaching and learning,' said the Minister. 'The National Centre for Technology in Education has advised schools of the appropriate equipment specification which should include a fixed digital projector, an internet-enabled laptop computer and a visualiser complemented by classroom computers.' Minister O"Keeffe added that his long-term goal is to increase the take-up of science, engineering and technology courses in third-level institutions. He said schools are now being advised of the national-level purchasing frameworks in place for desktops, laptops and printers which are aimed at delivering best value for money.