Oral Answers to Questions

Alun Michael Excerpts

Monday 17th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We are all greatly enlightened by the Minister of State’s observations.

[Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op)]

15. What steps he plans to take to promote the involvement of primary schoolchildren in IT and internet-related activities.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education (Mr Nick Gibb)]

Information and communications technology in the national curriculum will be considered as part of the national curriculum review. The effective use of technology can support good teaching and raise educational standards, but primary schools are best placed to make decisions on how to use technology to meet the needs of their pupils.

[Alun Michael]

But enthusiasm and encouragement are also important. With your support and encouragement, Mr Speaker, MPs across all parties have encouraged their local primary schools to engage with the “Make IT happy” competition, organised by the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee, which I have the honour to chair. Will the Minister join me in urging schools to enter that competition, because it is good for pupils, good for Parliament and good for the early engagement of children with issues that are important to our economy?

[Mr Gibb]

I am happy to do so, and I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on the initiative. Already, about 90% of primary school pupils say that teachers help them understand how to use technology. That is a great success story, and I wish his project every success.