Children see technology 'vague subject "

   The government says it will review the status of information technology in the school curriculum and trying to reverse the decline in the quality of science education.

A report released today by the Education and Commerce, Innovation and Employment ministry said there has been a gradual decline in 11-13 years, the proportion of students enrolled in courses related to science and that the performance of students in science also decreased.

"The average New Zealand year 5 students for science in 2010-11 was significantly lower than in 2002-03 and there has been no significant change in performance for year 9 students from 1994 to 1995," he said. Lifting the commitment and achievement in science education is "absolutely essential".

Ian McCrae, CEO of Orion Health Software Company last year called for information technology becomes a topic of academic scholarship in schools compulsory in Years 9 and 10 and at least as a science major.

"Digital technology in schools grouped in metallurgy, sewing and food technology and therefore the children take it as the subject of vague, do not draw very academic kids will do things like chemistry and physics.'ve teach people how to use Powerpoint , but we do not teach children logic, algorithms and programming, "he said.

Paul Matthews, executive director of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals, which also has requested an increase in the state of ICT in the curriculum, according to a report published by the ministry only "review" and the first step.

"But we were very surprised that we did not change. The results in government and industry, and almost everyone understands that we need to address this," he said.

The report says the student achievement in science declined, partly because science teachers are not always confident in teaching science and doing "does not always have access to the right resources."

The government set up an initiative to support schools and teachers to "build trust and access to resources to develop programs that rich contextualized science interesting for students," he said.