New charter to bring IT training to all school curriculums

16:08 15th January 2009

A government agency has launched a new initiative aimed at encouraging schools to introduce IT training across their entire curriculums, it was confirmed today (January 15th).

Becta announced the new Next Generation Learning Charter - which outlines the stages and goals of using technology in educational establishments - at the BETT 2009 show in London.

The body explained that it will offer support to schools which sign up and confirmed that members will receive the ICT Mark accreditation for reaching national standards of key stage development.

Becta chief executive Stephen Crowne said: "Technology in the classroom is no longer a distant dream. It is part of everyday life for us all and schools need to ensure that they do not get left behind.

"The Next Generation Learning Charter will help thousands of schools develop their use of technology so that we have a world-class education system where all young people are inspired and motivated."

In addition, the agency - which will work closely on the project with organisations such as Microsoft - announced that it is setting up an independent foundation aimed at showing parents and teachers how to offer children internet-related home learning.

Becta was established in 1998 through the reconstitution of the National Council for Educational Technology.