Money to help secondary teachers get laptops

Education Minister Trevor Mallard says next month's budget will include money to lease laptops for secondary school teachers.

The Government was setting aside $25 million over five years that would see it pay for two-thirds of the cost of a laptop for a secondary school teacher with either the school or individual paying the rest, he announced yesterday.

The initiative followed last year's $10m deal with Microsoft to provide software to schools and laptops to principals.

"In this year's budget, we are setting aside $25m over five years for laptops for secondary teachers. Permanent, full-time secondary teachers or their schools will have the option to lease a laptop over a three-year period."

After the three years, the teacher or school would be able to enter a new lease deal or buy the laptop at an expected 10 per cent of its original price.

Mr Mallard said access to laptops motivated teachers to become effective users of information technology and helped with workloads.

"I hope that a majority of our teachers will take up this offer. It has certainly been the case with similar overseas offers."

- NZPA