Digital Strategy for Schools

5. THEME 4: ICT INFRASTRUCTURE
CLOUD SERVICES
This Strategy recognises that the cloud computing ecosystem is transforming how many schools
operate. There are new opportunities for teachers, learners, parents/guardians and other
organisations to interact with one another to ultimately support learning. The growth in cloud
services is enabling schools to provide email and file storage space to teachers and learners.
It is allowing them to collaborate and communicate more easily using a range of cost-effective
applications and technologies.
The integration of cloud services, underpinned by fast reliable broadband, has the potential to
enhance linkages between home and school and facilitate internet access “anytime, anywhere”
for teaching, learning and assessment resources and activities. The Strategy recognises that cloud
services will continue to expand and that the effective use of these services has the potential to
transform teaching, learning and assessment activities in schools. However, data security and
privacy issues must be considered when using cloud services and schools need greater support in
this area.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE
Schools require external technical support in relation to their ICT equipment, infrastructure and
systems so that they can support teaching, learning and assessment as well as the school’s
administration and planning systems. The issue of technical support cannot be considered as an
isolated issue and should be considered as part of each school’s eLearning plan.
During the formulation of the Strategy, schools identified the challenge of attaining reliable and
timely technical support as a major issue. In addition, schools have very diverse needs in terms of
technical support, requiring providers to have a high level of technical knowledge and expertise that
is relevant to different school settings or contexts.
There is no international consensus on any one model of best practice for technical support provision.
Models of technical support include specific ICT related grants, the provision of regional technical
support services including technicians (either in school or shared between schools), and provision
of fully managed technical support services (remotely or onsite). A centralised national system of
support is not viable and would not meet schools’ needs because the variation in school location,
size and ICT infrastructure makes such provision impractical. The issue of providing technical
support to all schools is complex and requires further consideration. The Strategy will evaluate a
number of technical support options with a view to providing guidance on the best technical support
solutions for schools.
PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT
The Census Report highlights the need to have national arrangements in place for the purchase
and supply of school-ready ICT equipment and develop a national plan for equipment renewal and
avoiding equipment obsolescence.
As part of the Department Reform Initiative the Schools Procurement Unit (SPU) was set up under
the Shared Services Plan 2014-2016. It is hosted by the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) and seeks
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