Govt cash for computer catchup trial

By PETER GRIFFIN

The Government has committed $10.4 million to secondary schools in a series of pilot programmes aimed at bridging the "digital divide" that hinders the progress of students without sufficient computer and internet access.

And the largest names in the computer and telecoms industry are expected to chip in with more significant contributions.

The pilots are being run in three study support centres and 19 under-achieving schools in areas such as the Far North, Waitakere and Gisborne.

Microsoft, IBM, Telecom, Vodafone and TVNZ are among 15 companies that have pledged their hardware and technical expertise to the "Digital Opportunity Partnership." Their contributions are likely to dwarf the Government's funding, which equals just over $118,000 a school a year.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard rejected suggestions that the pilots were under-funded but acknowledged that the contributions from the private sector would have a significant impact.

"There's a substantial private sector contribution going into these pilots in the form of in-kind payments, discounts and time contributions. That will significantly [boost] up the amount put in by the Government," he said.

The pilots, starting in April, will give the test schools better access to computer hardware, training and high-speed internet bandwidth.