11 January 2012

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, has today welcomed the announcement made by the Rt. Hon. Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, at BETT that endorses the importance of computer science on the curriculum.

Bill Mitchell, Director BCS Academy of Computing says: “BCS is extremely pleased that Michael Gove has publicly endorsed the importance of teaching computer science in schools. His new proposals, particularly the suggestion that if a new rigorous GCSE in computer science is developed it might be included in the EBaac, are also a significant first step towards enabling schools to teach computer science. 

“Good schools will now be free to teach the underpinning principles and concepts of computer science through imaginative and rigorous curricula such as the Computing At School (CAS) curriculum, which is endorsed by both Microsoft and Google.”

“There are major challenges ahead not least because there is a shortage of both intellectually challenging GCSE qualifications and teachers with expert computer science knowledge. However, together with CAS and collaborating with groups like Next Gen, our experience and resources mean that we are ideally placed to provide teachers with what they need to teach both digital skills and computer science.” 

The Institute together with input from Microsoft, Google and Cambridge University Computer Science department, CAS has created a computing curriculum. This has been endorsed by both Microsoft and Google as describing important principles and concepts that are suitable for schools.

Simon Humphreys, BCS Co-ordinator of CAS adds: “Michael Gove’s announcement today is just the start of a very exciting new period in the education of our children and one that we’ve been working towards for a number of years.

“Just as we give every student the opportunity to learn the workings of physics, chemistry, and biology, because they live in a physical, chemical, biological world, so we should offer every student the opportunity to learn the workings of the digital systems that pervade their world. This knowledge is empowering, enriching, and inspiring; computers are good servants but poor masters."

Bill concludes: “It is vitally important that schools are able to offer computer science as part of the curriculum in order for the UK to remain at the forefront of the digital revolution and economy. If we do this successfully we will be able to give children the opportunity not only to use technology but to also be creative and innovative through computing and have the opportunity to be the entrepreneurs and innovators of the future.”

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