Software is expensive. Schools have budgets. Educational software is also expensive. Schools buy educational software. Which means schools have budgets for educational software. And so they should. There are many excellent products out there, each adding their own flavour of value to varying aspects of the academic environment. But are these resources being fully maximised?

Most schools decide that the only thing that should be taught in a computer centre is computer related skills. Are there common guidelines for what needs to be taught/covered/acquired by the time a learner graduates to grade 8? Most schools follow their own ’syllabus’, some (at huge expense) pay for programs which very cleverly link the curriculum to computer literacy, and others still are not sure what skills they should be doing at all. What does the Education Department have to say about this?

When one exchanges the life of a teacher for that of an office worker there are some sacrifices to be made … such as holidays. I started “scouting” for other employment opportunities while I was still teaching – actually almost a year ago! The first thing I did was revamp my C.V. How you might ask?

After 12 happy (mostly happy) years in teaching, predominantly Special Needs, I have made the transition to the 9 to 5 workplace. No more holidays, but no more marking either! My decision to leave teaching was not an easy one or a quick process. I was very happy in my school, with my colleagues and with the holidays of course!