The CPST Roadshow drew numerous enquiries from teachers.

With the recent implementation of the Masterplan for IT in Education, the computer is now a vital tool for every Education Officer. Increasingly teachers need to have computers for them to access information and learning resources, prepare lesson plans, deliver lessons, assign work and respond to their pupils’ scripts and projects, communicate with their peers and supervisors, and perform administrative tasks. Thus, to help teachers become efficient and effective IT-based facilitators of learning, the Ministry of Education (MOE) recently introduced the Computer Purchase Scheme for Teachers (CPST).

This scheme was launched on 12 July 1997. MOE will co-pay up to 20 per cent of the purchase price for desktops, 40 per cent for notebooks and 20 per cent for printers, which are optional. The launch of the CPST was accompanied by roadshows showcasing the various computers available in the market.

"This is a great way to encourage the use of IT among teachers in accordance with the implementation of the Masterplan for IT in Education," enthused Mr Teo Kien Lee, Discipline Master, Sennett Primary School.

Ms Maria Connolly, a teacher at Bedok Town Secondary School, said that having a personal computer was definitely more efficient as "there are not enough computer terminals in school. Teachers need to prepare tests and lessons and record marks on the computer. When you have so many teachers queuing up to use the computers and printer, time is not utilised wisely."

At the end of the CPST roadshow organised over two weekends at Catholic High Secondary School, Bedok View Secondary School, Bukit View Secondary School and Ngee Ann Secondary School, many teachers walked away satisfied owners of their new computers and upgraded software packages.

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