Laois councillor's 'fear' of children getting STEM technology training

A Laois councillor has expressed his concern at teaching computer technology to young children, warning it can "take over a person's life".

Cllr Ben Brennan, from the Graiguecullen Portarlington Municipal District says "children need to grow up first and be a child" and not be pushed into technology in schools.

"My fear is any time I go to a house, a child will have a phone or a laptop in their hand the whole time. In 90% of the time it's given to them by a person working hard all day, to give them peace of mind. A child should be a child. They need to learn basic skills. STEM is brillian but it needs to come at a higher level. A child needs to grow up first and be a child.

"They should instead by outside playing a game of football.

"Today we've athletes all getting injured, basically from sitting at a computer all day. When they come out to exercise that's when it happens. Years ago they were doing physical work. 

"There is a danger we will lose that. It's not good for Ireland. You give a child a phone now, they turn it inside out, because they're on their phone the whole time. I wouldn't want it to take over a person's life, that is my fear.

"One family I know the phone is taken at 8am on Monday and they don't get it until 8pm Friday. Kids are losing the art of conversation. You walk in, they don't look at you," Cllr Brennan said.

He spoke after hearing about the lessons rolled out to Laois children in the past year by Laois County Council, at the November meeting in county hall, Portlaoise.

The council has had a STEM Officer for the past year who is working to educate people of all ages, including leading the VEX Robotics competitions and Age Friendly lessons. The 18 month role is covered by the EU Just Transition fund, to support future jobs after the economic loss in the midlands from the end of the Bord na Móna peat industry.

The officer Seanie Morris explained that Laois got €100,000 worth of equipment to roll out to communities, schools and libraries.

"Kids who are quiet, don't like drama, when STEM goes into schools, a lightbulb goes on, they come out of their sheels and learn teamwork. If we get kids who like it, hopefully they will choose a career that will lead to closing the gap in the Midlands where there is a lack of talent in the areas of robotics and AI," Mr Morris said at the November meeting of the council.

"Laois with the other three Midlands counties are the first in the British Isles, with only a handful of EU countries doing this," he said.

He and the other three STEM officers in Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, have partnered with universitieswho will add 50 extra points to Leaving Cert students making STEM subject choices. They include Maynooth, MTU, TUS, ATU and with companies Ericsson, Microsoft and in Laois CJ Sheeran, Kirby Engineering and Midland Steel.

Out of the 63 Laois primary schools, 30 now have the new STEM technology, as well as all 10 Laois secondary schools.

Many other Laois councillors were in favour of the STEM training for children.

Laois County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh suggests tabling a future joint motion by councillors, to ask the Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton to extend funding for the four STEM officers in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.

Read also: Children near rural Laois schools unable to get places

"I've been following the VEX Robotics in schools, it's fantastic. Kids love it. Some are not necessarily into sports, but in this they are part of a team. It's like the All Ireland when they are winning their awards. I compliment your enthusiasm, you're doing a great job. I'll be disappointed if funding doesn't continue," Cllr Walsh said.