This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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School science gets £10 million extra
05/03/2003
Outdated and obsolete science equipment in Scotland's
schools will be replaced with the latest technology
following the announcement today of an extra £10 million
over the next three years to encourage science
learning.
Deputy Education Minister Nicol Stephen told the Science
Education Conference in Edinburgh that the extra funds
should help make classroom science even more popular by
updating teacher science skills.
He said:
"It is vital that pupils are encouraged and inspired to
consider science as a career.
"Scotland has an excellent record of scientific
achievement. Interest in school science is already strong,
with high levels of pupil attainment. We must build on this
because science and the application of science are key
drivers of our future economic success and in enhancing our
quality of life.
"Today, we are making £10 million available to equip
classrooms with modern equipment and to develop teachers'
science skills. Education authorities can decide local
priorities in their area - for example introducing smart
boards to replace black boards, buying more electronic
timers, heart-rate monitors and spectrometers or providing
training for teachers to give them skills that reflect the
ever-changing modern world.
"We want to see all schools delivering our vision for
science education by 2020. Our Science Strategy commits us
to ensuring enough people study science to meet the needs
of the future and we are investing at school and university
level.
"We have also established a major Improving Science 5-14
project to help improve assessment, homework, ICT and staff
development.
"Today's pupils are tomorrow's scientists, so they must
have access to high-quality training and resources to
enable them to use their knowledge, skills and
creativity."
The £10 million will be made available to primary and
secondary schools. The first tranche of £5 million will be
issued in April. Further allocations of £3 million and £2
million will be made in 2004/05 and 2005/06.
During Science Year 2002, the Executive provided an
additional £8 million for science equipment, resources and
teachers professional development.
The three-day Science Education 2020 conference is
designed to offer a vision of science education in the
future.
Education Minister Cathy Jamieson will attend
the conference to meet young people on its Youth Board.
She said:
"Today's funding is an investment in Scotland's future.
Supporting schools in delivering top drawer classroom
science is vital if we are to secure bright prospects for
our scientific community and the Scottish economy."