SA Premier announces digital strategy for public preschools

Children attending South Australian public schools and preschools will benefit from a new $33 million investment announced by Premier Steven Marshall late last week. 

 

Part of the Digital Strategy for public schools and preschools, the new funding will be used to improve access to devices for students, as well as provide home-based internet solutions for families where cost is a barrier. 

 

A new specialist Digital Guarantee Unit will centre the strategy, composed of curriculum specialists and ICT experts who will be responsible for providing holistic support to schools and preschools to meaningfully integrate digital technology into what students learn and how they learn it.

 

The unit will also be responsible for delivering on the strategy’s commitment to equity in students’ access to technologies.

 

In addition, the unit will help to build digital capacity within the teaching workforce through tailored training and support, and work with schools and preschools to ensure all teachers have a quality device to support their work.

 

“The State Government is focussed on delivering South Australian children the skills they need to secure the jobs of the future right here in SA and digital literacy is increasingly a marker of employability in the key growth areas of our economy,” Premier Marshall said.

 

“It’s not enough for students to learn about computers or learn on computers. It is essential that the learning experience across the full range of subjects integrates digital technology in a way that builds the skills needed in the modern workplace.”

 

“By blending experts in the fields of curriculum and ICT, the Digital Guarantee Unit will give schools and teachers a central point of advice and support covering what technology to use and how to use it most effectively to improve student outcomes. This includes using technology in a way that is safe, balanced and age-appropriate.”

 

“The Government’s work to connect every school and preschool to the internet at the speed they need, when they need it, means we can now realistically pursue an ambitious, state-wide strategy for excellence in digital education,” added SA’s Minister for Education John Gardner.

 

“Physically linking the fibre optic network to our schools and preschools, and securing high-speed, high-quality alternatives for the handful where that wasn’t possible, is a legacy that will support generations of students to come.”

 

To learn more about the Strategy please see here.