Having been asked in parliament whether assistance will be provided to schools affected by the reduction in the Harnessing Technology Grant Nick Gibb, Minister for Schools said that ICT infrastructure is now well-embedded in schools. NAHT believes that the assumption that ICT infrastructure is 'well embedded' needs to be examined and challenged. This rigour is essential to avoid a potentially dubious and precarious an assumption becoming the basis for policy in this area.
The question and response were as follows:
Mrs Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will provide assistance to schools affected by the reduction in the Harnessing Technology Grant to enable them to maintain their ICT commitments.
Mr Gibb: As part of a range of savings, the Harnessing Technology Grant is to be reduced by 50% in the current financial year. ICT infrastructure is now well-embedded in schools. Local authorities have been notified of the changes and they are best placed to manage the reduction, in consultation with their Schools Forum, to support a sustainable funding model based on local circumstances.
