Computer survey finds schools struggling

Press, 9 February 1982, Page 7

Computer survey finds schools struggling

State secondary schools have to struggle to buy and use computers without’ Government help, according to a Post-Primary Teachers’ Association survey. About half the schools that replied to the survey owned computers but most of those that did had to raise the money, to buy them privately. After buying the computers schools had trouble using them because of a lack of Government support. They lacked money to use them, teaching time to use them, teachers who could teach with them, advice on what to do with them and suitable places to put them. In most schools the use of computers meant more work for teachers which had to be done at the expense of other work or in their spare time. The P.P.T.A. president (Miss Edna Tait) said from Wellington that the Government must act because of the survey’s "disturbing” results.

"Schools are having to run gala days to buy computers," Miss Tait said. "The Government must face the fact it should be providing the money.” Of the 225 schools that replied to the survey, 112 owned computers. Of the 112, 94 schools relied on fundraising or gifts to buy their computers and the’ others used school grants given for other purposes. Miss Tait said schools were not “jumping the gun" by buying computers before the Government. “Students now live in a computer age and if we-deny them access to computers we deny them an important part of their education,” she said.

"It is just another example of teachers and parents filling gaps in the education system that should be filled by the Government.” Lack of money was given as the reason by 115 of the 123 schools which did not own computers. Miss Tait said the P.P.T.A.

wanted the Government to supply money to run computers, training for teachers to teach with them — and rewards for teachers who did — programmes, and suitable places in schools to put computers.- . The Minister of Education (Mr : Wellington) said from Auckland that the Government was not obliged either to supply computers or help schools which had them. In deciding what should be taught the Government had to consider what it could afford.

“The Government has yet to decide : whether it can . afford to supply;'' computer ’ hardware,” Mr Wellington said.

“Some schools have gone ahead of their own accord, and that is fine, but that has been their decision.”

Mr Wellington said computer education was “desirable” rather than essential. Before buying computers and computer programmes it was extremely important to

find out what was required, he said.

The Education Department and the State Services Computer Services Division have just finished drawing up specifications for the computer hardware and software needs of secondary schools. Mr Wellington said they would be put before the Cabinet "very soon.” But he could not say whether money for buying computers would be voted in the next Budget except that, "it is a matter constantly before us.”

Drawing up specifications ■.encouraged computer companies to compete to meet them, Mr Wellington said. It did not mean the New Zealand made “Polycorp” computers. which the department was testing, were not suitable.

"But in an area of rapidly changing technology it is best to lay down specifications, then see what companies come up with to meet them,” he said.