The Government has unveiled a scheme designed to give 20,000 disadvantaged kids in Oldham and Suffolk free PCs, with schools minister Jim Knight calling on local IT retailers to offer cheap hardware and software deals to all pupils aged seven to 18 in the two pilot areas.The move is part of the Government's £300m 'Next Generation Learning' scheme, which will see children between seven and 18 given a grant to cover the purchase of a PC, as well as software, one year's broadband access and three years' technical assistance.
Families of children in the age group must earn less than £15,500 per year or be on income support in order to qualify for the trials, which start in February. Knight claimed that the scheme was important as a way of creating equal access to IT equipment and the internet.
"There has to be a culture where families see home access [to IT and the internet] is as important as making sure their children have pen, paper and calculator at school," he said.
The deal will also be open to those in alternative education or in care through local education authorities.
Source: Macworld
Advertisement
Related Stories
- Carmageddon set to return to PC May 10th 2012 at 12:23PM
- PCR Retail Boot Camp to be powered by Innergie Apr 11th 2012 at 12:38PM
- Turtle Beach enlists for PCR Retail Boot Camp Apr 10th 2012 at 11:46AM
- Government pushes for prompt payment Feb 7th 2012 at 10:57AM
- Anyone for Raspberry Pi? Jan 12th 2012 at 11:19AM Number of comments: 1
- Angry Birds for PC Dec 21st 2011 at 6:00PM
- Mary Portas unveils ambitious plans for UK High Streets Dec 13th 2011 at 10:35AM
- Government pledges £158 million for high tech research Dec 2nd 2011 at 12:56PM
- New budget gets mixed reception from BRC Dec 2nd 2011 at 12:41PM
- MPs urge haste in 4G spectrum auction Nov 4th 2011 at 6:36AM
