KEY POINTS:
A previously confidential report has indicated the extent of pressure on schools over the cost of running their computer networks.
The Ministry of Education review, released to the Herald under the Official Information Act, showed an estimated $150 million of school spending on information communication technology (ICT) in 2005 - or 61 per cent of the total.
School spending included money such as parent donations, fundraising and international student fees - and day-to-day operations funding from Government. A quarter - or $60 million - was categorised as central expenditure from the ministry.
Schools Trustees Association general manager Ray Newport said there was an argument for the Government to pay the full $245 million annual cost estimated in the report.
But Education Minister Chris Carter said while all schools were resourced for ICT, some chose to buy extras beyond the basics.
"If we did fund it to that [$245 million], then their total spend on it would double," said Mr Carter.
He said the school spending was driven by parents and teachers wanting the best for their children but there were many pressures on taxpayers funds and they were not unlimited.
Last week's Budget pledged $65.3 million over four years to help schools meet ICT costs.
"We've invested, as a Government over the last nine years, $408 million since 1999 in ICT in schools," said Mr Carter.
The ministry report said pressure on schools to improve the quantity and quality of ICT came from several sources. The fast pace of technological change was a factor, as was students' increasing reliance on it in their everyday lives.
The Government's own developments also lifted demand, with electronic NCEA communications and schools using an online enrolment register and student management system.
"The advisory group noted that the costs associated with these initiatives are placing pressure on schools' operational funding," the report read.
Mr Newport wanted other moves suggested in the document, such as the ministry buying equipment centrally where appropriate, which he said could save boards money, to be further investigated.
WHO PAYS
Of schools' estimated ICT (information communication technology) spending in 2005:
* 25%: was from Government "central" spending
* 14%: was the value of teacher time
* 61%: was school spending, including money raised from the community and Government operations grant
SOURCE: Ministry of Education
