Free calculators for schools?

Press, 11 May 1984, Page 7

Free calculators for schools?

PA Wellington Primary and intermediate school children should have access to class sets of calculators, according to the Education Boards’ Association. The association has recommended that primary school authorities push for the Government to supply primary schools with class sets of calculators as basic equipment. . It says it would give children the first step in computer awareness. The recommendation comes from a policy paper on technology tabled at the Wellington Education Board’s meeting. However, some board members feared that by introducing calculators in primary schools, children risked failing to learn basic numerical skills. The paper recommends that all teachers’ college courses have a compulsory unit of computer technology skills, and awareness of

social implications. It says primary schools must concentrate on developing pupils’ numeracy skills, powers of logic, and basic skills for living. Other recommendations in the report are in-service training on computers for teachers, the association ; supports using computers in ' intermediate and secondary schools as teaching aids, and computer awareness and appreciation should be integrated into the existing curriculum. The Auckland Education Board supported the suggestion that calculators should become basic primary school equipment, provided free. The board added a further suggestion that the Education Boards’ Association recognise that technological developments could be of significant benefit to special needs pupils, and that necessary training be encouraged in that area also.