The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) has announced that the service has been “integrated” with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST). In a short statement on its website the NCTE explains:
“With effect from 1st June 2012, the role and functions of the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) come under the remit of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST). Existing programmes and services are being maintained and all contact details remain the same.”
Set up under the auspices of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) in 1998, the role and function of the NCTE was to:
1. Provide a range of ICT-related support services to schools
2. Policy development, strategic and administrative functions
It remains to be seen what, if any, effect this merger will have on the promotion of technology in the classroom. It may well be considered that this is a “downgrading” of the technology service to teachers. However, in the long run, it may also make more sense to drive home the message that technology has to be firmly embedded in the curriculum and that it should not be considered to be an added-on “frill”.
