Summary of the opinions collected
through public consultation
The CSTI organised a public consultation on the proposed
Internet Schools Charter between 12 April and 15 June 2001.
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Following its first meeting on 11 April 2001,
the CSTI established a public forum on its Internet site regarding
the proposed Internet Schools Charter it was in charge of examining.
The opinions collected during this process showed general approval
for the principle of creating a seal of approval that could
be awarded to institutions of higher education, whether already
in existence or in the process of being set up, and for all levels
and specialties.
There were several comments about the approval criteria, which
were sometimes judged overly strict for existing curricula. However,
the Approval Commission provided for in point 4.2
might be considered to have the express role of assessing satisfaction
of these criteria which, in the Charter itself, cannot be set
forth in a vague or understated fashion. It was also brought up
that the emphasis rightly placed on the "networked"
use of ICT might give rise to the belief that conventional computer
technology no longer had a role in teaching methods; point 3.3
of the proposal was altered accordingly.
As the networking of approved schools is an
essential feature of this scheme (cf. point
3.4 of the Charter), it was also proposed that a commitment
to take an active and constructive part in this network be an
indispensable condition for obtaining approval; point 4.1
was altered accordingly.
It was also proposed that the international
dimension of training be strengthened, which led to placing an
emphasis on this aspect in point 3.1.
There were two recommendations that were useful
but had no direct impact on the Charter itself :
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Resources should be accorded for the network's
promotion and running at the time the Charter is enacted;
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The seal of approval should be given legal
protection so that it is not used improperly and so as to
avoid the use of similar designations that could cause confusion.
Finally, the last paragraph of the terms and specifications requested
that the method for processing application dossiers be specified.
The comments collected led to a proposal that the Telecommunications
Schools Group (GET) be put in charge of assessing level I training
programme (baccalauréat + 5 years of higher education or
Bac+5) dossiers and presenting them to the Approval Commission.
Likewise, one or more organisations designated by the Ministry
for Education would be in charge of level II dossiers (Bac+3 and
Bac+4) and level III dossiers (Bac+2). The proposal was altered
accordingly in point 4.2.
