Kids should be taught tech 'from age seven'

Primary school children should be learning how to use technology earlier in their school career, according to an influential new government review.

The review by Sir Jim Rose, a former inspector with schools watchdog Ofsted, has found IT teaching has failed to keep pace with young people's increasing computer literacy.

The report recommends ICT modules that are taught in key stage 3 - when pupils are between the ages of 11 and 14 - should be brought forward and taught to children in key stage 2, when they are between 7 and 11.

The report says: "The primary and secondary programmes of study for ICT should be scrutinised in order to provide a better fit with children's developing abilities."

Technology must be at the core of the primary school curriculum along with literacy and numeracy, according to the Rose report.

"It will also be increasingly important that children have the ICT skills which will enable them to apply the technology of the future and meet the challenges of an uncertain world, with confidence and flexibility. A sound grasp of ICT is fundamental to engagement in society, and the foundations for this engagement must be laid in primary schools," it adds.

The review also recommends the use of ICT to help teachers cope with the demands of teaching a broad curriculum.

The report is an interim review into the primary curriculum and was conducted by Rose at the behest of Ed Balls, secretary of state for Children, Schools and Families.

Balls said in a statement: "Parents of our generation probably don't realise, for example, how fast children are picking up computer skills today. We need 21st century schools which make the most of the opportunities technology offers our computer-savvy youngsters."

Rose describes the report as a "work in progress" and a final version of the report is due next year. A revised curriculum based on the report could come by 2011.

Comments on the review are invited via the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority website.