LABOR’S SCHOOL BROADBAND AND COMPUTER PLAN WELCOMED

MEDIA RELEASE, THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF VICTORIA, 14 NOVEMBER 2007

The Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria, Michelle Green, has welcomed the Labor Party’s election commitment to provide Australian schools with fast broadband connection and more computers for students.

The Federal Labor Leader, Mr Kevin Rudd announced at the launch of the party’s election campaign in Brisbane on 14 November that a Labor Government would put a computer on the desk of every upper secondary student and provide Australians schools with fibre to the premises connections, delivering broadband speeds of up to 100 megabits per second.

‘We are pleased that the policy provides for partnership with independent and Catholic school systems and state governments to ensure schools have sophisticated ICT strategies, including training, client support, maintenance costs and integration with the school curriculum,’ Ms Green said.

‘The policy will support AISV’s successful bid for $5 million over two years under the Federal Government’s Clever Networks programme to build an information communication technology network improving internet access for more than 33,000 students and nearly 3,000 staff at 90 independent schools in Victoria,’ she said.

The Labor announcement complements plans that AISV has been putting in place for more than two years to ensure that students at independent schools in regional and rural Victoria have the same access to the internet as students at government schools.

‘AISV’s ICT planning is based on research that shows that computer technology is absolutely essential to achieve good educational outcomes. We welcome any policies that will improve access by teachers and students to faster broadband and the latest equipment and services,’ Ms Green said.

 

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