E4E welcomes government’s decision on D&T and ICT in primary schools
Published: 02/07/2012
Education for Engineering (E4E), the engineering profession’s voice on education and skills welcomes the Education Secretary’s letter, released today, that states that Design and Technology (D&T) and ICT remain in the National Curriculum for primary schools in England.
But this is not enough. E4E urges the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP to also retain D&T and ICT in the secondary National Curriculum. Otherwise this will inevitably lead to schools adopting a minimal approach to D&T and ICT as they will only focus on Core and English Baccalaureate subjects.
Chair of Education for Engineering (E4E) Dick Olver FREng said: “This is exactly the right signal that the Secretary of State should be sending to schools and we applaud his decision. We support the government in getting the basics right, but we need much more focus on technology through all levels of education if the UK is to ensure a sustainable recovery for the economy. The UK needs to prepare young people for a future deeply embedded in technology and the provision of excellent teaching of both D&T and ICT in primary and secondary schools is crucial to this aspiration.”
The engineering community will be providing the support that government requires to develop the appropriate curricula – it is widely acknowledged that improvements are needed.
The Institution plays an active role within E4E as part of its educational activities to promote and raise awareness of engineering within government.