LONDON, Jan. 9, 2025
/PRNewswire/ -- An annual investment of approximately £130 million
a year in technology in schools over the next decade would deliver
an economic benefit to the UK of up to £8.7 billion. For every £1
invested, technology in schools would bring a return of up to
£7.90, benefiting both the education sector and the growth of the
economy.
Pearson and Cebr research: £8.7 billion
benefit for UK economy from investment in technology in
schools
These findings are from a new report commissioned by Pearson
(FTSE: PSON.L) the world's lifelong learning company and
produced by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).
The research highlights the transformative economic and educational
benefits of investing in digital transformation within UK
state-funded schools and the stronger role it could play in both
curriculum and assessment.
Using Pearson's digital transformation framework for UK schools,
the Pearson-Cebr analysis found that strategic investment across
three main areas – device provision, broadband improvement and
teacher training – could deliver substantial improvements
including:
- Teacher time savings of around £900 million in the first year
alone – freeing up teachers' time equivalent to almost five average
working weeks.
- Additional earning potential for new entrants to the labour
market – this would increase from under £7 million in year one to
around £200 million by year 10 thanks to improved skills through
the use of EdTech underpinning higher student attainment.
- Economic productivity – wider economic benefits from a more
skilled workforce would see returns starting at around £6 million
in the first year and rising to around £180 million by year
10.
- Positive environmental impact – potential for nearly two
million kg of CO2E savings by the tenth year of the appraisal
period – that's enough to power hundreds of households for a
year.
Sharon Hague, Managing
Director of Pearson School Qualifications said: "Investing in
digital transformation within our schools is an investment in our
future. The benefits of technology extend far beyond the classroom
– helping underpin student outcomes, freeing up teacher time and
driving economic growth too.
"With discussions ongoing about the future of curriculum and
assessment, we believe it's crucial to look at the benefits that
technology can unlock for schools, students and the economy. Our
goal with this work is to progress these conversations and identify
practical suggestions. Strategic investment in both infrastructure
and teacher training will support UK state-funded schools to make
better use of technology, better prepare students for future life
and work and ultimately, help to build a more productive
workforce."
Elizabeth Anderson, Chief
Executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance said: "Children
learning today are entering a digital world tomorrow, with the pace
of digitisation and tech growth at an unprecedented level. This
report shows the power of giving young learners access to tech in
the classroom – which we feel is especially important for those
living in lower income families without a laptop at home on which
to learn or complete education. Combining this with meaningful
teacher training on providing digital skills has the opportunity to
transform the futures for millions of young people who can forge a
better future if given the knowledge and confidence to succeed in
accessing jobs that are ever more reliant on tech."
Sam Miley, Managing Economist
and Forecasting Lead at Cebr said: "Our report highlights the
benefits that could be accrued through increased investment in
EdTech. These benefits grow over time and begin to outweigh the
costs by several multiples. At a time when productivity growth in
the UK is feeble, particularly in the public sector, this presents
an attainable approach to improving skills and both educational and
labour market outcomes."
What's needed
Cebr-Pearson analysis drew on existing
research across the sector to define what technology and training
was needed for schools. This includes:
- additional device provision – currently just 34% of secondary
schools and 31% of primary schools say they have a sufficient
numbers of devices
- an overhaul of broadband for schools – slow internet speed is
reported at 27% of secondary schools and 36% of primary
schools
- training of 20+ hours per teacher – for example, currently 24%
of teachers consider a lack of confidence in their digital skills
to be a barrier to using technology in learning
- teaching and assessment of the digital skills that young people
need for the future
- additional exam formats – currently only pen and paper are used
in the majority of exams.
Pearson now calls for a national strategy for the deployment of
technology in schools. In 2025, Pearson will launch a wider Digital
in Schools project – guided by research, insights and practical
suggestions to help unlock the benefits of EdTech in schools.
Explore the Pearson-Cebr summary report
Explore the full Cebr report findings
Media Contact:
anna.osullivan@pearson.com
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life
they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning
opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our
c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and
enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We
are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in
nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments,
qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do.
It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.
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SOURCE Pearson
