Existing ICT curriculum
to be withdrawn, paving the way for new courses of study in Computer Science.
TIGA, the trade association representing the UK
games industry, welcomed the Government’s announcement that it plans to withdraw
the existing ICT curriculum and allow new courses of study in Computer Science.
The Government’s plans, announced today by the Rt
Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education, include the following:
The current ICT curriculum
will be withdrawn in September 2012. ICT will remain a compulsory part of the National
Curriculum, pending the National Curriculum review. But the Government’s
decision to withdraw the existing Programme of Study will give teachers
freedom over what and how to teach. Universities, businesses and other
organisations will have the opportunity to devise new courses and exams in
Computer Science.
There will be funding for new Teaching Schools to
enable them to create strong networks between schools to help them develop
and improve their use of technology.There will be a focus on improving Initial Teacher
Training and Continual Professional Development for teachers in
educational technology.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“The Government’s decision on ICT
and Computer Science is very positive. Schools will now have greater
opportunities to teach Computer Science, a subject of great importance to the
video games sector. TIGA hopes that schools will take advantage of this opportunity.
Some schools could specialise in teaching Computer Science and become centres
of excellence in this discipline.”
However, TIGA emphasised that
schools must have the resources to deliver changes in the curriculum. Wilson
added:
“The Institute of Fiscal Studies
(IFS) estimated in October 2011 that public expenditure on learning would fall
by 13 per cent over four years. The IFS
also estimated that around two-thirds of primary schools and over 80 per cent
of secondary schools will see real terms cuts in funding. It is important that
reductions in expenditure on education do not impair the ability of schools to
teach Computer Science and other subjects important to the video games industry
and other high technology sectors.
The Government’s reform of ICT today is good
news but we need to ensure that schools are properly resourced and can attract
and reward the best teachers to deliver Computer Science and other key
disciplines.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
About
TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The
majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house
publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing
companies, technology businesses and
universities amongst our membership. TIGA won 10
business awards and was nominated a finalist for 9 other awards during 2010 and
2011. In 2010
TIGA won two business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the
Trade Association Forum. I
n 2011, TIGA won eight business awards including
‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade Association Forum, ‘Outstanding
Organisation’ from the Chartered Management Institute and two Global Business
Excellence Awards, including ‘Outstanding Marketing Campaign’. Richard Wilson won the ‘Leadership Award’
from the Trade Association Forum and the ‘Outstanding Leader’ award from the
Chartered Management Institute.
TIGA is an Investors in People organisation.
TIGA's vision is to make
the UK the best place in the world to do games business. We focus on
three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage
and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members.
This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of
power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a
material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and
improved commercial opportunities.
For
further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939
643, or email richard.wilson@tiga.org.