IT teaching to be given same priority as literacy and numeracy

Review of primary school curriculum expected to put IT up with the three Rs

IT will be a priority in primary school

A major review of the curriculum in UK primary schools is expected to recommend that IT teaching should be given the same priority as literacy and numeracy.

According to The Times, which claims to have seen a draft version of the forthcoming report by Sir Jim Rose, the former head of schools watchdog Ofsted, teachers will be encouraged to use the web and sites such as Twitter to help improve IT and English literacy.

An Ofsted report released in March into secondary school teaching of IT found that the number of children studying IT-related subjects is continuing to fall alarmingly, despite improvements in the quality of teaching.

Between 2004 and 2007, 25 per cent fewer students took A-level ICT courses, while the computer studies A-level saw a 32 per cent drop. The fall in the number of girls studying computer studies is even greater – down 45 per cent. The report identified shortfalls in primary school teaching of IT as a contributory factor in the decline at secondary level.

Rose's review is due to be released on Thursday 30 April.