Catalogue description Records of the National Council, and Council, for Educational Technology and Successors

National Council for Educational Technology (NCET), 1968-1973

The National Council for Educational Technology (NCET) was set up to administer the National Foundation for Educational Technology (NFET), a trust. They were established, under the terms of a trust deed and administrative scheme dated 5 December 1967, by the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State for Scotland (with the agreement of the Secretary of State for Defence, the Minister of Technology and Minister of Labour). Their establishment was the result of consideration of the Brynmor Jones Report Audio-Visual Aids in Higher Scientific Education (HMSO, 1965).

The NFET received grants from the Secretary of State for Education and Science, the Secretary of State for Scotland, and later, the Ministry of Education for Northern Ireland.

The task of the NCET was to promote the application and development of inventions and techniques in the field of human learning (educational technology) and to promote research in educational technology.

The NCET consisted of a Chairman appointed by the Secretary of State for Education and Science after consultation with the Secretary of State for Scotland, 31 members appointed by the former and 4 members appointed by the latter. In addition, assessors from eight government departments and educational bodies attended meetings of the NCET. The day-to-day work of the NCET was controlled by a Planning and Finance Committee and by various subordinate committees and working parties which reported to it.

In 1973, as a result of the recommendations of the Hudson Working Party in its published report Central Arrangements for promoting Educational Technology in the United Kingdom (HMSO, 1972), the NFET and its administration were amended by a new scheme sealed on 1 October 1973.

Council for Educational Technology (CET), 1973-1988

The Council for Educational Technology (CET) was established by the Government in 1973 as an autonomous body, replacing and taking over the resources of the National Council for Educational Technology (NCET).

The task of the organisation was amended to promoting the development and application of discoveries, inventions and techniques conducive to the advancement of education and training (referred to as educational technology); and promoting research and encouraging innovation in educational technology.

The constitution of the NCET was changed markedly so that the CET was a representative body, consisting of 59 people, as follows:

the chairman of the Council appointed by the Secretary of State for Education and Science after consultation with the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales; not more than 2 persons to be appointed by the Secretary of State after consultation with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; not more than 4 persons to be appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland; 1 person to be appointed by the Ministry of Education for Northern Ireland; not more than 3 persons to be appointed by the Secretary of State after consultation with the Secretary of State for Employment; not more than 8 persons to be appointed by the Secretary of State after consultation with the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales; and not more than 40 persons to be appointed by the Secretary of State after consultation with such persons or bodies connected with education or training or the provision of services or facilities for education or training as the Secretary of State shall from time to time consider appropriate. In addition Assessors from 11 government departments and educational bodies attended meetings of the CET. In 1979 the Secretaries of State decided to reduce the size of the CET by reducing the number of persons nominated by any interest to one, thus retaining the breadth of representation.

The day-to-day work of the CET was carried out by an Executive Committee (as required by the revised Scheme) and by subordinate committees and working parties which report to it.

National Council for Educational Technology, 1988-1998

In 1988 the Council for Educational Technology (CET) amalgamated with the Microelectronic Education Support Unit (MESU), established in 1986, and again assumed the title of the National Council for Educational Technology (NCET). It became a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.

British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), 1998-

In 1998 the NCET was reconstituted as British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) as the government's lead agency for information and communications technology (ICT) in education, covering the United Kingdom. The word 'Becta' has become the proper name for the organisation having previously been its acronym.

Becta is now a UK government agency which supports all four UK education departments in their strategic ICT developments. It is a non-departmental public body which works mainly with the government departments within DCSF (Department for Children Schools and Families) and BIS (Business innovation and Skills). In its capacity it oversees the procurement of all ICT equipment and e-learning strategy for schools and is a member of European schoolnet. Becta is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.

Becta's role is to ensure that technology is used at its best in the British education system. It works to make sure technology is used effectively, maximising the gains to teachers and learners, and also works to make sure technology is used efficiently, so that the greatest benefits are achieved for the least cost, and save money for the system.