❓ Question regarding resources for computer literacy in primary schools. Minister acknowledges importance, cites budget negotiations, infrastructure improvements, and ICT as a tool for broader education.
AnsweredQoN 138Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COMPUTERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS
In view of the minister’s stated concerns about lack of backup resources for computers in primary schools in this State, I ask - (1) Does the minister acknowledge the importance of higher levels of computer literacy in our primary school children? (2) What extra resources will the minister be seeking, in pre-budget negotiations with his colleagues, to achieve this aim, and what priority does the minister place on being successful? Mr CARPENTER
In view of the minister’s stated concerns about lack of backup resources for computers in primary schools in this State, I ask - (1) Does the minister acknowledge the importance of higher levels of computer literacy in our primary school children? (2) What extra resources will the minister be seeking, in pre-budget negotiations with his colleagues, to achieve this aim, and what priority does the minister place on being successful? Mr CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) Yes, I do recognise the great priority to improve the computer literacy skills of primary school children, and, in fact, all children and staff across the education system. This priority is very much part of the negotiations that the Government is undertaking in the budget process. The Government, and I as minister, are doing everything we possibly can to maximise the resources that are available for government schools in order to improve the computer literacy skills of students and teachers. We need to recognise that information communications technology in the modern era is not necessarily a subject of study in itself but is a tool to facilitate the improvement of broad educational outcomes. That is the general view that this Government is adopting in the education area. I could spend some time on the Auditor General's recent report on the implementation of information communications technology in schools. However, I think we have all heard enough about that issue. There are various views about the efficacy of the previous Government's implementation program. I said at the time that I believed that the implementation of the computers in schools program was carried out with the best intentions. However, I am sure that if the previous Minister for Education were to implement that program now, he would probably do it differently, because of the advances in technology and the realisation of what is now possible. I assure the member that the Government is doing all it can to turn into reality the desire to improve computer literacy in all schools, including those in the member’s electorate. A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology. Mr Trenorden: Northam Senior High School. Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
(1) Does the minister acknowledge the importance of higher levels of computer literacy in our primary school children? (2) What extra resources will the minister be seeking, in pre-budget negotiations with his colleagues, to achieve this aim, and what priority does the minister place on being successful? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) Yes, I do recognise the great priority to improve the computer literacy skills of primary school children, and, in fact, all children and staff across the education system. This priority is very much part of the negotiations that the Government is undertaking in the budget process. The Government, and I as minister, are doing everything we possibly can to maximise the resources that are available for government schools in order to improve the computer literacy skills of students and teachers. We need to recognise that information communications technology in the modern era is not necessarily a subject of study in itself but is a tool to facilitate the improvement of broad educational outcomes. That is the general view that this Government is adopting in the education area. I could spend some time on the Auditor General's recent report on the implementation of information communications technology in schools. However, I think we have all heard enough about that issue. There are various views about the efficacy of the previous Government's implementation program. I said at the time that I believed that the implementation of the computers in schools program was carried out with the best intentions. However, I am sure that if the previous Minister for Education were to implement that program now, he would probably do it differently, because of the advances in technology and the realisation of what is now possible. I assure the member that the Government is doing all it can to turn into reality the desire to improve computer literacy in all schools, including those in the member’s electorate. A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology. Mr Trenorden: Northam Senior High School. Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
(2) What extra resources will the minister be seeking, in pre-budget negotiations with his colleagues, to achieve this aim, and what priority does the minister place on being successful? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) Yes, I do recognise the great priority to improve the computer literacy skills of primary school children, and, in fact, all children and staff across the education system. This priority is very much part of the negotiations that the Government is undertaking in the budget process. The Government, and I as minister, are doing everything we possibly can to maximise the resources that are available for government schools in order to improve the computer literacy skills of students and teachers. We need to recognise that information communications technology in the modern era is not necessarily a subject of study in itself but is a tool to facilitate the improvement of broad educational outcomes. That is the general view that this Government is adopting in the education area. I could spend some time on the Auditor General's recent report on the implementation of information communications technology in schools. However, I think we have all heard enough about that issue. There are various views about the efficacy of the previous Government's implementation program. I said at the time that I believed that the implementation of the computers in schools program was carried out with the best intentions. However, I am sure that if the previous Minister for Education were to implement that program now, he would probably do it differently, because of the advances in technology and the realisation of what is now possible. I assure the member that the Government is doing all it can to turn into reality the desire to improve computer literacy in all schools, including those in the member’s electorate. A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology. Mr Trenorden: Northam Senior High School. Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) Yes, I do recognise the great priority to improve the computer literacy skills of primary school children, and, in fact, all children and staff across the education system. This priority is very much part of the negotiations that the Government is undertaking in the budget process. The Government, and I as minister, are doing everything we possibly can to maximise the resources that are available for government schools in order to improve the computer literacy skills of students and teachers. We need to recognise that information communications technology in the modern era is not necessarily a subject of study in itself but is a tool to facilitate the improvement of broad educational outcomes. That is the general view that this Government is adopting in the education area. I could spend some time on the Auditor General's recent report on the implementation of information communications technology in schools. However, I think we have all heard enough about that issue. There are various views about the efficacy of the previous Government's implementation program. I said at the time that I believed that the implementation of the computers in schools program was carried out with the best intentions. However, I am sure that if the previous Minister for Education were to implement that program now, he would probably do it differently, because of the advances in technology and the realisation of what is now possible. I assure the member that the Government is doing all it can to turn into reality the desire to improve computer literacy in all schools, including those in the member’s electorate. A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology. Mr Trenorden: Northam Senior High School. Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
(1)-(2) Yes, I do recognise the great priority to improve the computer literacy skills of primary school children, and, in fact, all children and staff across the education system. This priority is very much part of the negotiations that the Government is undertaking in the budget process. The Government, and I as minister, are doing everything we possibly can to maximise the resources that are available for government schools in order to improve the computer literacy skills of students and teachers. We need to recognise that information communications technology in the modern era is not necessarily a subject of study in itself but is a tool to facilitate the improvement of broad educational outcomes. That is the general view that this Government is adopting in the education area. I could spend some time on the Auditor General's recent report on the implementation of information communications technology in schools. However, I think we have all heard enough about that issue. There are various views about the efficacy of the previous Government's implementation program. I said at the time that I believed that the implementation of the computers in schools program was carried out with the best intentions. However, I am sure that if the previous Minister for Education were to implement that program now, he would probably do it differently, because of the advances in technology and the realisation of what is now possible. I assure the member that the Government is doing all it can to turn into reality the desire to improve computer literacy in all schools, including those in the member’s electorate. A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology. Mr Trenorden: Northam Senior High School. Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology.
Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
(1) Does the minister acknowledge the importance of higher levels of computer literacy in our primary school children? (2) What extra resources will the minister be seeking, in pre-budget negotiations with his colleagues, to achieve this aim, and what priority does the minister place on being successful? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) Yes, I do recognise the great priority to improve the computer literacy skills of primary school children, and, in fact, all children and staff across the education system. This priority is very much part of the negotiations that the Government is undertaking in the budget process. The Government, and I as minister, are doing everything we possibly can to maximise the resources that are available for government schools in order to improve the computer literacy skills of students and teachers. We need to recognise that information communications technology in the modern era is not necessarily a subject of study in itself but is a tool to facilitate the improvement of broad educational outcomes. That is the general view that this Government is adopting in the education area. I could spend some time on the Auditor General's recent report on the implementation of information communications technology in schools. However, I think we have all heard enough about that issue. There are various views about the efficacy of the previous Government's implementation program. I said at the time that I believed that the implementation of the computers in schools program was carried out with the best intentions. However, I am sure that if the previous Minister for Education were to implement that program now, he would probably do it differently, because of the advances in technology and the realisation of what is now possible. I assure the member that the Government is doing all it can to turn into reality the desire to improve computer literacy in all schools, including those in the member’s electorate. A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology. Mr Trenorden: Northam Senior High School. Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
(2) What extra resources will the minister be seeking, in pre-budget negotiations with his colleagues, to achieve this aim, and what priority does the minister place on being successful? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) Yes, I do recognise the great priority to improve the computer literacy skills of primary school children, and, in fact, all children and staff across the education system. This priority is very much part of the negotiations that the Government is undertaking in the budget process. The Government, and I as minister, are doing everything we possibly can to maximise the resources that are available for government schools in order to improve the computer literacy skills of students and teachers. We need to recognise that information communications technology in the modern era is not necessarily a subject of study in itself but is a tool to facilitate the improvement of broad educational outcomes. That is the general view that this Government is adopting in the education area. I could spend some time on the Auditor General's recent report on the implementation of information communications technology in schools. However, I think we have all heard enough about that issue. There are various views about the efficacy of the previous Government's implementation program. I said at the time that I believed that the implementation of the computers in schools program was carried out with the best intentions. However, I am sure that if the previous Minister for Education were to implement that program now, he would probably do it differently, because of the advances in technology and the realisation of what is now possible. I assure the member that the Government is doing all it can to turn into reality the desire to improve computer literacy in all schools, including those in the member’s electorate. A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology. Mr Trenorden: Northam Senior High School. Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) Yes, I do recognise the great priority to improve the computer literacy skills of primary school children, and, in fact, all children and staff across the education system. This priority is very much part of the negotiations that the Government is undertaking in the budget process. The Government, and I as minister, are doing everything we possibly can to maximise the resources that are available for government schools in order to improve the computer literacy skills of students and teachers. We need to recognise that information communications technology in the modern era is not necessarily a subject of study in itself but is a tool to facilitate the improvement of broad educational outcomes. That is the general view that this Government is adopting in the education area. I could spend some time on the Auditor General's recent report on the implementation of information communications technology in schools. However, I think we have all heard enough about that issue. There are various views about the efficacy of the previous Government's implementation program. I said at the time that I believed that the implementation of the computers in schools program was carried out with the best intentions. However, I am sure that if the previous Minister for Education were to implement that program now, he would probably do it differently, because of the advances in technology and the realisation of what is now possible. I assure the member that the Government is doing all it can to turn into reality the desire to improve computer literacy in all schools, including those in the member’s electorate. A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology. Mr Trenorden: Northam Senior High School. Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
(1)-(2) Yes, I do recognise the great priority to improve the computer literacy skills of primary school children, and, in fact, all children and staff across the education system. This priority is very much part of the negotiations that the Government is undertaking in the budget process. The Government, and I as minister, are doing everything we possibly can to maximise the resources that are available for government schools in order to improve the computer literacy skills of students and teachers. We need to recognise that information communications technology in the modern era is not necessarily a subject of study in itself but is a tool to facilitate the improvement of broad educational outcomes. That is the general view that this Government is adopting in the education area. I could spend some time on the Auditor General's recent report on the implementation of information communications technology in schools. However, I think we have all heard enough about that issue. There are various views about the efficacy of the previous Government's implementation program. I said at the time that I believed that the implementation of the computers in schools program was carried out with the best intentions. However, I am sure that if the previous Minister for Education were to implement that program now, he would probably do it differently, because of the advances in technology and the realisation of what is now possible. I assure the member that the Government is doing all it can to turn into reality the desire to improve computer literacy in all schools, including those in the member’s electorate. A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology. Mr Trenorden: Northam Senior High School. Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
A great deal of discussion is taking place about the resources that are required. The Government recently concluded a process that will vastly improve the bandwidth capacity for information communications technology in all schools in Western Australia. The Government also needs to try to put in place in schools an infrastructure that will allow the technology to be used more efficiently. Members may have seen references in the media to schools, such as Lathlain primary, that have experienced problems in using the technology.
Mr CARPENTER: All high schools. Members will have seen those media reports about the difficulty of using the technology because of the other infrastructure in schools, and that is another element that the Government is looking at in the budget process. The Government will do everything it can to improve the educational capacity and opportunities for children in the member’s electorate and every other electorate.
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