APPENDIX 17
Memorandum submitted by the Office of
Science and Technology (OST)
The Committee has invited the Office of Science
and Technology (OST) to submit its views on the subjects of this
inquiry, as a supplement to the written evidence from the Department
for Education and Skills (DfES).
The interests of OST, and the Department of
Trade and Industry in general, lie in ensuring that schools offer
a balanced curriculum, including science to Key Stage 4 for all
pupils, so that they can play a full part in a highly technological
society; and that they provide a strong grounding for sufficient
numbers of young people to move into further and higher education,
do research in the science base and meet the needs of business
industry for scientists and technologists at all levels.
Responsibility for subjects of this inquiry
lie with the DfES, which has submitted a memorandum that sets
out the measures the Government is taking to tackle these issues.
OST, along with other parts of the Department of Trade and Industry,
works closely with the DfES on many of these measures. Examples
include Science Year, the Science, Engineering, Technology and
Mathematics Network (SETNET) and Science and Engineering Ambassadors.
Following the recommendations of the Council
for Science and Technology, OST is also working with the DfES
towards establishing the national centre for excellence in science
teaching for supporting science teachers, and their continuous
professional development.
February 2002
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