States plan on IT education is working but needs more support, says report

Tuesday 19 August 2014

A report has welcomed progress on IT education and says that most of the things that we all need from the States should be online within a few years.

The States have set a target of making 75% of “interactions” digital by 2018 – that covers anything from making a Planning application, registering a change of address, or sorting out your taxes.

The report by a Scrutiny panel has backed that aim and the work being done in schools, but they say that the Economic Development and Education departments need to go further.

They have also recommended that all primary and secondary school headteachers get together to share ideas about IT education, and that the Education department needs to make sure all pupils get the same opportunities so that getting good digital skills doesn’t become “a postcode lottery”.

St Brelade Constable Steve Pallett, who chaired the Scrutiny panel that did the report, said: “Although the sub-panel is of a view that both Education and Digital Jersey are taking positive steps forward, and that can only be to the benefit of not only those studying at our excellent schools but also in further education and beyond, there is more to be done if we are not to miss the ‘Digital Boat’ and end up a follower in the digital market rather than a leader.”

The States have invested huge amounts of money in the JT project to create fibreoptic broadband connections to Island homes, and in the establishment of Digital Jersey – the government group set up to nurture and support the fledgling tech industry.

They hope that Jersey can grow a digital sector in the same way that other offshore places like Malta have, in order to diversify the economy and provide new jobs and opportunities for innovation.