Government spending on computers and other IT services for schools lags far behind the situation in England, according to new figures.
These show how some 50 per cent of all computer facilities in schools are unusable.
The figures from the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) underline what they call a "short-sighted approach" to information and communication technology (ICT) in the classroom.
TUI president Tim O' Meara, said the recent provision of funding for ICT in schools under the new national programme Towards 20016 this equates to just €46 per child per year.
"This lags far behind the €110 spent per child in England on technology in the classroom. With our current economic health as a nation and the importance of ICT in the developing the much vaunted knowledge-society, this is short-sighted in the extreme."
He said the State's commitment on ICT has not matched teachers' commitment to the area. Specifically, teachers and pupils are let down because of a lack of up to date, usable equipment, he added. They are concerned, he said, that there is an obvious lack of coherent and joined up thinking at departmental level on ICT.
"Often, schools are not given the necessary guidance on the most effective use of computer facilities across all areas of school life," he said
He also argued that the provision of a laptop computer to all teachers would be a positive way of enabling them to commence integration of ICT in the classroom.
"Techers need to be empowered with the requisite skills and confidence through regular usage of computers . . . but in the current climate this is analogous to learning to drive and then sitting into a car without an engine," he said.
The most recent audit of computer facilities in Irish schools, published last year, shows that one fifth of computers are more than six years old and just 4 per cent of computers are located in classrooms, with 58 per cent in dedicated computer rooms.
The TUI president added: "At a minimum, every classroom should have a digital projector and a laptop to enable teachers to use computer facilities in everyday lessons.
"Each school should also have at least one well equipped and state-of-the-art computer room."
