The teaching of information computer technology (ICT) in the UK is about 20 years behind the rest of the world, according to one expert, who claimed that this has caused the industry to lose an entire generation of intelligent people. Dr Mike Short, President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, has argued that the government is principally responsible for the failure to improve ICT teaching.
He observed that although the current generation engages with cutting-edge technology on a daily basis, surprisingly few of them have a good grasp of how popular consumer products are designed and built. Most people visit sites like Facebook and Twitter on a daily basis, for example, yet only a small minority have a good understanding of how these webpages appear on our computers screens, Dr Short said.
"The current school ICT syllabus is not appropriate for the digital generation since it does not equip our young people to be able to understand or compete in the modern world," he said. "There is an urgent need for school to be teaching the current generation Computer Science as a subject in schools in order that our future work force is equipped to design, build and maintain the next generation of infrastructure, systems and products.
"All of these require elements of computer science and engineering, but also sufficiently qualified, experienced and informed people to take advantage of the plentiful career opportunities within the digital and computing industries."
A number of high-profile firms have already hit out at the standard of ICT teaching in the UK, arguing that a lack of knowledge and expertise continues to hold the economy back at a critical time. Education Secretary Michael Gove, meanwhile, recently acknowledged some of the shortcomings of ICT teaching. Consequently, he has pledged to make things like computer programming a more integral part of the national curriculum.
