New computing curriculum lacks clarity
Plans to transform the National Curriculum for state schools in England, announced today, lack clarity according to Europe’s biggest engineering and technology institution.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is particularly concerned about proposed changes to the computing curriculum.
Paul Davies, IET Head of Policy said: “We are pleased to see that there is a commitment to providing a relevant and aspirational curriculum and that an effort is being made to change the perception of ICT in schools.
“However, the Government has not followed recommendations made by us and others to re-launch the subject as ‘Computing and Communications Systems’. Computers do not operate in isolation and in the majority of cases rely on communications systems of one form or another to connect to the user or other remote systems, e.g. the internet.
“Understanding how computers communicate across fixed or mobile networks is an important consideration in the modern interconnected world. It is unclear whether communications will be a major component of the new computing curriculum despite these concerns.
“There are also unanswered questions around where all the teachers will come from to teach this new subject. There is a severe shortage of teaching staff with the necessary knowledge and practical expertise which will hinder its successful implementation. This must be addressed urgently.”
