Computer Literacy needs urgent Government attention - Peak body for IT professionals Response to Government funding package for schools

Thursday 11 March 2004 - The peak body for IT professionals, the ACS (Australian Computer Society) today welcomed the Federal Government’s 25 per cent funding increase for schools, but warned that Australia will continue to lose ground to other nations in the global knowledge economy unless urgent attention is given to the supply of computer and internet equipment in schools, and a national standard of computer literacy is swiftly introduced for both teachers and students.

ACS President, Edward Mandla said: “There remains an enormous digital divide in this country – not only between private and public schools, but increasingly, between the skills of our young people and their international counterparts. There’s also growing evidence that the teaching community requires support and resources in bringing their own technical knowledge up to a reasonable standard.

“We live in a world where technology influences almost every aspect of modern life – how people live, work and play. Yet, socio economic and geographical barriers continue to exist, which prevent Australians from enjoying equitable access to the computer skills they need to reach their potential.

In response to the funding package announced by the Minister for Education, Science and Training Dr Brendan Nelson today, Mr Mandla called for:

• The immediate provision of a national competency standard for computer literacy in secondary schools. Similar to the national reading, writing and numeracy benchmarks, the standard would specify the minimum acceptable benchmarks for aspects of computer literacy at different year levels.
• Ongoing professional development for school teachers to ensure they are confident and competent in using IT effectively. In addition, IT skills should be embedded into pre-service teacher education. Teacher IT competency is particularly important in government schools and schools in low income areas, where students are less likely to have access to a computer outside school.
• Governments must ensure that all schools have access to an affordable broadband connection that meets their IT needs, regardless of geographic location. Schools must also be adequately funded so that technical support staff can be appointed to manage the network of software and hardware systems.
• Greater attention to the talent shortfall in the industry. The ACS urges the government to act now to prevent a future skills shortage in the IT sector. Strategies must be introduced to promote growth in the local IT industry and to encourage secondary school students to enroll in IT courses at tertiary level.

“ The issue of computer literacy is at the heart of our standing in the global economy,” said Mr Mandla. “If Australia is to compete on the world stage, greater emphasis must be placed on IT both in secondary schools and at a tertiary level. Any child who leaves school without adequate computer skills may be setting themselves up for a life of poverty.

“We acknowledge the preliminary work done in this area, but feel that much more needs to be done to address this issue if Australia is to take its rightful place as a global technology leader. The Government needs to announce a timeline for tangible delivery of IT competency training and the appropriate level of resources to support it.

“The development and application of a national standard for computer literacy will help position Australia as a world leader, not just in the use of IT in secondary school education, but in the IT sector in years to come,” said Mr Mandla.

The ACS has created a national working party on the topic of Computer Literacy with a report due out in May 2004. The ACS has also formed working parties on a range of other policy areas including Offshoring, Work Life issues, SPAM and Open Source Software.

Further information: Fleur Brown, (02) 8257 1741 or mobile: 0419 270 863 / Caroline New 0411 889 456

This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/110304.htm

ENDS

The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional association for those working in Information and Communications Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and represent their views to government, industry and the community. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both members and non-members with opportunities for professional education, networking and certification, as well as enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.

ACS - ICT Professionals Shaping our Future

Media Enquiries:

Edward Mandla, ACS National President, Tel: (02) 8257 1760, Email: edwardm@acslink.net.au

Caroline New, ACS PR Consultant, Tel: (02) 9555 1986 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@bigpond.com