Primary and secondary schools across Lanarkshire can now apply for funding from the Scottish Government to prepare pupils for a tech career.
Backed by up to £1.3m from the Scottish Government, secondary schools can bid for grants of up to £3000 to purchase additional computing science equipment, devices, software or teaching resources.
Schools will also receive two class set pocket-sized computers to introduce how software and hardware work together.
The 'Scottish Technology Review' was commissioned by the Government in August 2020 and recommended more investment into computing science in both primary
Mark Logan, chairman of the review, said the importance of computing cannot be overlooked.
He told Lanarkshire Live : “It’s vital to the future supply of talent into Scotland’s tech sector that computing science at school level is elevated to the same level of importance as other STEM subjects.
“The additional funding for computing science announced by the Scottish Government and the formation of STACS, which makes teachers major participants in advancing the subject in Scotland, are key building blocks on the way to that goal.”
Toni Scullion and Brendan McCart, part of The Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science (STACS) based at the University of Glasgow are excited about the news.
STACS aims to spread the best practice in computing science in primary and secondary schools.
The program has received a government grant of £67,500 to set up and run the STACS program
They told us: “We are delighted to be appointed as co-leads of STACS.
"This is an incredible opportunity for computing science and we are looking forward to working with the dedicated teachers across Scotland who are delivering computing science in schools.
“This initiative recognizes the importance of computing science as a subject in schools and the integral part it plays in Scotland’s ambition for a digital nation.
“Computing science in education has a key role in helping to engage, nurture, and inspire the next generation of talent and that journey starts in the classroom.”
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville also added: “It is essential we have as many talented young people leaving schools with the skills Scotland’s technology sector and wider economy fundamentally depends upon.”
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
