Report to the People
Changing Education
If you’re under 18, you probably don’t want to be reminded that the summer holidays are drawing to a close. It does, however, focus our attention on the new school term.
In Inverclyde we are better placed than most to appreciate how technology has revolutionised the modern workplace. And in this fast-changing world, what and how we teach our children is also changing.
The latest Schools Census underlines this. For the first time ever, it sets out the number of modern computers in today’s classrooms. Nationally, it is estimated that the ratio of secondary pupils to modern computers is 9:1. In primary schools the figure is 28:1 and, with £8 million ear-marked to buy more computers this year, and a further £10 million next year, this looks set to improve. The aim is to have a ratio of 7.5:1 by 2002.
Another recent development discussed in the Census is the Classroom Assistant. Classroom Assistants help teachers in the running of a lesson by carrying out, among other things, administrative duties, general supervision of pupils and support for basic skills such as literacy and numeracy. They give teachers more time to teach and are already in 27% of our primary classes. 43% of this support is focused on the crucial early years of primaries 1 to 3.
Classroom Assistants will increasingly become a feature in our schools. The Executive has committed £65 million to enable education authorities to employ 5,000 Classroom Assistants.
These initiatives are not, of course, a substitute for teachers. As Education Minister Sam Galbraith says, "teachers do a vital job in educating and encouraging children to reach their full potential." Indeed, from 1998 until September 1999, the number of teachers rose by 606. There are now an extra 149 teachers in primary schools, 365 in secondary schools and 92 in special schools.
Teachers are highly skilled professionals and we need to concentrate on using their skills as effectively as possible. Steps such as increasing the use of technology and Classroom Assistants help us to do this.
A good education is one of the best routes to a more secure, rewarding life. It is our responsibility to ensure that this is seen as a right rather than a privilege. New initiatives to let teachers teach will help today’s students learn the skills they need for tomorrow’s job market.
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