South Australian children will get the skills they need to secure the jobs of the future thanks to a new $33 million investment announced today as part of the release of the Marshall Liberal Government’s nation-leading Digital Strategy for public schools and preschools.
The creation of a new specialist Digital Guarantee Unit is the centrepiece of the strategy. It will be made up of curriculum specialists and ICT experts, who will be responsible for providing holistic support to schools 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. $23 million of new spending will be invested to improve access to devices for students, as well as provide home-based internet solutions for families where cost is a barrier.
In addition, the unit will help to build digital capacity within the teaching workforce through tailored training and support, and work with schools to ensure all teachers have a quality device to support their work.
Premier Steven Marshall said the Digital Guarantee Unit will support schools to use technology to its maximum effect in all learning areas, improving student outcomes and preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow.
“The Marshall Liberal 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,” said Premier Marshall.
“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.
“We are seeing huge growth in the cyber, space and defence sectors in South Australia and the Marshall Liberal Government is committed to ensuring our students have every opportunity to gain the skills they need to a secure a job in these exciting areas.
“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.”
This new investment builds on the $130 million Marshall Liberal Government investment which has upgraded internet speeds in our schools from the slowest in the nation to the fastest.
Minister for Education John Gardner said the ambition set out in the strategy is possible because of the work done over the past three years to deliver a fast, reliable internet connection to every public school in the state.
“The Marshall Liberal 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,” said Minister 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.
“Technology opens up a world of possibilities and delivers better outcomes for our students. We expect all our high school students will need access to appropriate devices for both learning at school and at home and this strategy will enable this to happen.
“I believe our new Digital Strategy will help motivate students and better prepare them for the jobs of the future.
“Digital literacy is critical for success outside of school and our vision is that all South Australian children and young people are ready to learn and work in the digital world.”
