Computing should be given the same priority in schools as literacy and numeracy, Microsoft New Zealand education sector director Evan Blackman says.
Mr Blackman, a member of a government panel reviewing how digital and computer technology is taught in schools, told Nine to Noon greater focus needed to go on digital and computing skills.
"Our sort of view is that digital technology should be viewed as the third literacy. We think it's that important and that fundamental in this digital age that we find ourselves in," he said.
"We think it should be given as much focus in the curriculum as numeracy and as core literacy."
New Zealand technology companies had to look overseas for skilled workers because there were not enough IT graduates in New Zealand, Mr Blackman said.
