Why Michael Gove’s plans to overhaul the ICT curriculum are a welcome move

The ICT curriculum in schools has been under scrutiny in the past few weeks, with Michael Gove declaring last month that it is presently a ‘mess’ and in need of some radical revamping. He warned that for teachers and industry leaders the current curriculum is ‘off-putting, demotivating and dull’.
ICT is presently compulsory but this may change following the government’s curriculum review. Gove proposed that computer science GCSEs could be included as part of the Government’s flagship English Baccalaureate, with students focusing on areas such as programming and coding (see the full Independent newspaper report here).
Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), did express concern that the timescale for changes is unrealistic and that ‘school leaders are becoming increasingly frustrated by the stream of contradictory and seemingly ad hoc announcement about the curriculum and qualifications’.
Whilst Gove’s focus on coding was criticised by many, the solution could be a more adaptable ICT curriculum, with teachers encouraged to teach lessons on a wide range areas – such as web design or programming – according to their own specialisms. Rather than a ‘slap in the face for ICT teachers’, as Chris Keates general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union fears, such changes could have the potential to empower teachers.
What do you think? We’re interested to hear how HE professionals feel about the proposed changes.
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