ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

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On the eve of Maths Week Ireland, ASTI General Secretary Pat King called on the Department of Education and Skills to make a statement regarding funding for IT equipment for second-level maths classrooms which was announced by the Government last November as part of the ‘Smart Economy’ strategy.

 

The funding was to be issued to second-level schools in early 2010.

 

“Maths Week is about making maths more real for students so that they can apply it to their everyday lives. This goal could be greatly aided by the use of IT in the maths class. The problem is Ireland’s second-level schools lack basic IT equipment. Despite Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s promise that funding for IT equipment to support the teaching of maths in second-level schools would be available early this year, the money has not been forthcoming.”

 

Mr King said that while the Department of Education and Skills has indicated on two occasions that the funding will be released soon, no date has yet been given.

 

“Any further delay in the delivery of this funding could have consequences for the teaching and learning of the new Project Maths syllabus – introduced in all second-level schools this September - which requires new teaching and learning techniques including the use of IT,” warned Mr King.

 

“The roll out of Project Maths represents an important investment in maths education in this country. It is unthinkable that such a major initiative would be hampered by a delay in the delivery of money ear marked for IT equipment almost a year ago.”

 

 

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Note: Maths Week Ireland takes place from October 9^th – 16^th