Michael Gove, secretary of state for education, has labelled current ICT education provision as "too demotivating, too dull" before adding "ICT in schools is a mess."
"Imagine the dramatic change which could be possible in just a few years, once we remove the roadblock of the existing ICT curriculum." He said in a speech to the BETT 2012 educational technology show.
"Instead of children bored out of their minds being taught how to use Word or Excel by bored teachers, we could have 11-year-olds able to write simple 2D computer animations".
He was full of praise for some areas of education: "The best degrees in computer science are among the most rigorous and respected qualifications in the world. They're based on one of the most formidable intellectual fields - logic and set theory - and prepare students for immensely rewarding careers and world-changing innovations. But you'd never know that from the current ICT curriculum."
"That's why I am announcing today that the Department for Education is opening a consultation on withdrawing the existing National Curriculum Programme of Study for ICT from September this year."
This dramatic announcement from the Government is the latest development in an ongoing discussion between politicians and industry chiefs on how best to reinvigorate a stagnating British industry.
It is a firmly held conviction of many industry insiders, including innovator and entrepreneur Ian Livingston, OBE, that there are big skills gaps developing within the UK games industry that need to be filled if our developers are to remain competitive in a global market.
The catalyst for Gove's comments is likely to be the recommendations found within the Next Gen. review, which was delivered last year.
Livingstone (along with Alex Hope) was, in July 2010, commissioned by Ed Vaizey, the minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries, to write the Next Gen. review; a series of recommendations that would provide politicians with guidance on how to proceed in order to maximise our potential as a leading developer of computer technology, games and software.
This statement of intent by the Government will be warmly received by Ian Livingston, Alex Hope and everyone connected with Next Gen. review.
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Livingstone spoke to BBC, saying: "The current lessons are essentially irrelevant to today's generation of children who can learn PowerPoint in a week. It's a travesty given our heritage as the most creative nation in the world."
"Children are being forced to learn how to use applications, rather than to make them. They are becoming slaves to the user interface and are totally bored by it."
Since the announcement Livingstone has spoken to GamesIndustry.biz: "It is fantastic that Michael Gove is personally endorsing the importance of teaching computer science in schools."
"I think it's right that the Department for Education is looking to industry, looking to organisations and learned societies to help build a replacement curriculum in computer science - rather than trying to do something they don't understand and repeat the mistakes of the past."
He later added: "What is needed, and has been recognised today by Michael Gove, is the need for a rigorous and relevant computer science curriculum whereby at the age of 11 children should be able to write a small computer animation; by the age of 16 they should be able to write a programme; by 18 they should be able to write their own programming language."
In his speech, Gove acknowledged Livingstone and Hope, and their contribution to the cause. He said: "This is not an airy promise from an MP - this is the prediction of people like Ian Livingstone who have built world-class companies from computer science."
It is great news for the industry that Gove has taken on board recommendations to scrap current ICT teaching and replace it with a more rigorous computer science curriculum.
As we discussed in our recent article on the issue, this country has a rich tradition of developing video games. The plans laid out by the Government are the first, and most important, steps on a long journey of regeneration within the games industry. But with better educated games developers entering the workplace already armed with the skills they'll need to thrive in a global industry, The British games industry might once again be poised to become a dominant force on the world stage.
Click here for a full transcript of Michael Gove's speech to the BETT 2012 educational technology show. And see below for the full ministerial statement:
National Curriculum in England: Information and Communication Technology. Secretary of State, Department for Education (Rt Hon Michael Gove MP)
I am today announcing my intention to launch a public consultation on my proposal that the National Curriculum Programmes of Study and associated Attainment Targets and assessment arrangements for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in maintained schools in England should not apply from September 2012.
There is a significant and growing base of evidence, not least from Ofsted inspections, that demonstrates that there are persistent problems with the quality and effectiveness of ICT education in schools. Evidence indicates that recent curriculum and qualifications reforms have not led to significant improvements in the teaching of ICT, and the number of students progressing to further study in ICT-related subjects is in decline. Furthermore, the ICT curriculum in its current form is viewed as dull and demotivating for pupils. Its teaching may not equip pupils adequately for further study and work, may leave them disenchanted or give rise to negative perceptions that turn them off the subject completely. At the same time we know that the demand for high-level technology skills is growing, and many employers in the IT industry are concerned that the way in which ICT is taught in schools is failing to inspire young people about the creative potential of ICT and the range of IT-related careers open to them.
However, we also know that ICT teaching in schools can be done well. There are numerous positive examples of schools that are leading the way in developing new and exciting visions for ICT, and of industry-led initiatives which are invigorating ICT teaching in schools. In order to facilitate more innovative ICT provision in schools, I am proposing to make provision under the 2002 Education Act to disapply the existing ICT Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets at all four key stages, and the associated statutory assessment arrangements at Key Stage 3, from September 2012.
Under this proposal ICT would remain a compulsory subject within the National Curriculum, subject to the outcomes of the National Curriculum review. However, schools would be freed of the requirement to adhere to the existing Programmes of Study, Attainment Targets and statutory assessment arrangements.
By disapplying the ICT Programme of Study from September this year schools will be able to offer a more creative and challenging curriculum, drawing on support and advice from those best positioned to judge what an ambitious and forward-looking curriculum should contain. I am encouraged by the work of subject organisations and others on how universities and business can develop high quality Computer Science qualifications. I'm keen to explore how Government can continue to facilitate this.
If, having listened to the views expressed in the public consultation and subject to the will of the House, I decide to proceed with the proposed disapplication of the ICT Programmes of Study, Attainment Targets and assessment arrangements, it will represent an interim measure that will be effective from September 2012 until September 2014, when the outcomes of the National Curriculum review will come into force. The status of ICT within the school curriculum is currently being considered by the National Curriculum review alongside that of all other National Curriculum subjects (aside from English, mathematics, science and PE), and I will bring forward proposals later this year.
The public consultation on this proposal will commence shortly and run for 12 weeks. A consultation document containing full details of this proposal and how interested parties can respond to the consultation will be published on the Department for Education website. Copies of that document will also be placed in the House Libraries.