Education and Training
Across primary, secondary and tertiary education the Department of Education and Children has achieved or is on course to achieve all of its stated targets. This will ensure all students and e business employers are able to flourish in the modern information age.
The Department of Education and Children's aim is to ensure that every student is equipped to meet the demands and opportunities of life in the modern information age. The Department has made a major commitment to the development of Information Communications Technology (ICT) throughout its institutions.
In a recent OFSTED inspection the ICT section of the Department was described as “working at the leading edge internationally”.
Every one of the Island's primary and secondary schools and the Isle of Man College are equipped with voice and data networks that wirelessly link every classroom across the Island. A dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) handles communication between pupils and staff throughout the island’s entire learning environment alongside which Department operates its own dedicated safe Internet and Intranet service.
Target ratios of modern computers to students of 1:7 in primary schools and 1:5 in secondary schools have been met and in many cases exceeded. Pilot projects are underway in a number of schools which provide every pupil with their own laptop computer. In most secondary schools a target to ensure every school leaver has attained an ICT qualification has very nearly been accomplished.
Full-time teachers and an increasing number of support staff are provided with laptop computers supported by a three year replacement policy. This ensures teachers are able to keep pace with rapid changes in technology and latest applications. An extensive training programme means that teachers are able to minimize time spent on the administrative aspects of their work. Most significantly teachers make good use of their laptops to enhance the quality of the Island’s learning environment.
For further information please contact Graham Kinrade, ICT Project Manager, at graham.kinrade@gov.im.
