Teachers and the government are discussing the possibility of introducing a different procurement system for individual IT facilities, particularly computers and laptops.

The government recently issued a multimillion euro tender to buy 7,000 new laptops and thousands of desktop computers but many educators are questioning whether the system should be changed.

“The time has come when it does not make sense to have the same laptop for every teacher. We have different needs and we should be allowed to buy the best machine that suits us according to the subject we teach,” an assistant head told the Times of Malta.

We have different needs and we should be allowed to buy the best machine that suits us according to the subject we teach

“A voucher system would make more sense, both pedagologically and economically. It is about time the government becomes more flexible,” a 36-year-old primary teacher said.

Businesses in the IT sector have their own opinions on the matter too. They feel that an allocation of some €4 million to be spent on the bulk purchase of IT facilities should be spread among all businesses in the field and not just given to one individual company.

“What sense does it make to give €4 million to just one importer when such a large budget can benefit many different businesses,” a computer dealer said. “It would be fairer if everyone gets a piece of the pie,” the owner of a computer shop in Fgura said.

So far, the government has always used a tender system whereby IT facilities for teachers are bought in bulk. Arguably, such a system has advantages in terms of aftersales service.

The last time IT services were bought was about six years ago, when a consortium of computer importers won the tender. The latest tender was issued to replace teachers’ laptops as most of them have become obsolete.

A spokesman for the Malta Union of Teachers said the possibility of a voucher system was being discussed and some progress had been made. “We are insisting that teachers are given a resources fund similar to the one available for lecturers at the university but on a different scale. This is being considered as part of a new collective agreement for teachers.

“However, these types of discussions take time,” the spokesman added.Since the introduction of e-learning at State schools, the government has been providing teachers with individual IT tools, particularly laptops. Such equipment has to be upgraded from time to time in view of new technology.

The new IT facilities will be mostly bought through EU funds.