The Next Generation of Broadband

Is this another joke?
The NEXT generation of broadband is being rolled out?
The first generation is still in nappies!

Were you told that every primary school in Ireland now has broadband access?
Not so.
Some can't access anything.
Most have something, but it's as slow as dial-up, sometimes slower.
Some schools have reverted back to dial-up, because their so-called mega fast broadband is so painfully slow and unworkable.

This wonderful government has no meas in I.T. anyway.
How do I know this?

1. Mary Hanafin promised a "copper-fastened" (her words) 230ish million euro for schools.
That's seriously in doubt now, according to Batt.
It was always in doubt, Mary just spun and spun it.
She announced that scheme about 17 times, but delivered not one cent.

2. The last computer the Department of Education and Science provided to primary schools was circa 1998 / 1999, and that was a donation from Gateway. Parents are expected to fundraise since. So, we have so-called braodband in our schools, and a 10year old computer is meant to run it? I wonder how many Ministers have 10 year old computers on their desk?

3. 21 ICT Advisors based in Education Centres have been "returned to their schools". This means that schools now have ZERO access to experts. Batt's office says they want to support the individual school's ICT co-ordinator now. Whaaaa? Who's that? Most schools don't have such a thing. Those that do have a co-ordinator...well, it's just a title, it's just a teacher who has a class to teach and no time. He / she is not a technician who can maintain a 10 year old PC provided by Gateway on behalf of DES. The support is not there.

The timing of not renewing the contracts for these 21 ICT Advisors was partcularly disgraceful - the week of the holidays! Not only that, but each of the 21 are replaced in their schools (obviously) and 21 teachers who thought they had a job, who signed a contract! for a job - now do not actually have a job. DES don't care about being sued for breach of contract of course, because DES will pass the buck to the Board of Management, and let the ordinary Joe soap members of the Board get sued. Lovely!

4. Teachers do summer courses every summer. On-line ones have started to become very popular. They suit people, especially those with family commitments etc... they save on childminder fees, petrol, and can be done in your own time. They also encourage the use of I.T. Many teachers I know have used I.T. for the first time during an online summer course. Many teachers I know do 2-3 courses, some online, some face-to-face. What did the DES do this year? Decided that teachers can do as many face-to-face courses as they wish (as usual) but can only do ONE online course. What kind of discrimination and backward thinking is that? What kind of message does that give teachers about I.T.?

The Department of Education and Science don't think much of I.T., so when you hear the platitudes falling from FF mouths about the importance of I.T. going forward, to meet the needs of an expanding economy, to be well-placed for the resurgence in international markets - all of that babble-speak - know they're lying through their teeth.

The next generation of broadband?
Can we have the first generation first, please?
Can we have a REAL commitment to I.T.?
Can we stop LYING?
Can we educate our children for the future, please?
Any hope?