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Development of Education System

Notes Headquarters is headed by the Chairperson, while each Regional Committee is headed by a
Regional Director.

13.6 Functions of National Council of Teacher Education

The main functions of NCTE fall into two categories:
1. Providing a range of ICT-related support services to schools.
2. Policy development, strategic and administrative functions.
ICT support services to schools

• Providing relevant and up to date ICT advice and support to schools on a range of
appropriate and suitable technologies
• Coordinating the Schools Broadband Programme for all primary and post-primary schools,
and managing the Broadband Service Desk as a single point of contact for schools to
support the delivery of online content and learning resources
• Designing and delivering a comprehensive national programme of continuing professional
development for teachers to assist them in integrating ICT into learning and teaching
• Supporting and promoting the use, application and development of digital content which
is relevant to the Irish curriculum
(i) through the on-going development of Scoilnet as a portal site, which provides access to
thousands of teacher reviewed resources relevant to the Irish curriculum.
(ii) through the evaluation and development of digital materials and resources (including
software) and
(iii) project partnerships
• Developing internet safety programmes, subject modules and advising on the development
and use of, Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) in schools
• Supporting and facilitating leadership in schools as it relates to e-Learning planning
• Supporting the innovative use and integration of ICT in schools through pilot projects
• Providing a general ICT advice service to schools via the phone, email and the NCTE
website.
Policy development, strategic and administrative functions

• Providing advice to & developing policy proposals for the Department of Education and
Skills (DES) on issues related to the development & use of ICT in the Irish education
system
• Providing support to the Minister as regards strategic issues relating to ICT and education
• Providing information and advice to other educational agencies on ICT in education
• Encouraging the integration of ICT in education across other organisations, agencies, and
in industry.
• Promoting curriculum innovations to enhance learning through the use of ICTs in the
classroom.
• Undertaking research on the best uses of ICT in education and on the status of ICT in
education on a national level
• Maintaining Irish involvement in EU and international projects related to ICT and education
• Participating in and contributing to the work of a wide range of working groups and
committees at national and international levels
• Managing the funding for the administration of the schools ICT support service

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