GILGAI Public School will benefit from a single delivery of state-of-the-art computers next year under a major State Government technology plan.

Country Labor Duty MLC for Northern Tablelands, Christine Robertson, announced this week that small and central schools will receive the computers over the next four years.

Under the $544 million Technology for Learning plan, 100,000 new computers will be delivered to all public schools, with IT support staff employed to help in the classroom.

A spokesperson for Ms Robertson said 27 schools throughout the Northern Tablelands area would be given priority including Gilgai, Delungra, Ashford Central, Bundarra Central and Tingha Public.

Gilgai Public School's Principal Bob Adams said the computers would provide extra opportunities for the students to access up-to-date information technology.

A total of 129 IT support staff will be permanently employed over four years around NSW to provide technical help for teachers and students in classrooms.

Gilgai School IT teacher, Pauline McCarthy thinks the more computers in schools the better.

"I think it's a fantastic idea. Technology is the way of the future,” said Ms McCarthy.

Broadband technology will be extended to 96 per cent of all education sites by June 2005 under the State Government's commitment to IT infrastructure.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Dr Andrew Refshauge said the assistance of IT staff will free up valuable time for teachers.

"They will also perform general maintenance on school computers to keep them running at their best,” said Dr Refshauge.

IBM, ASI, Optima and Apple have been listed as the successful computer suppliers, with more than 30,000 computers to be delivered and installed next year.

"In 1995, there was one school computer for every 22 students. Today that ratio is one to five,” said Dr Refshauge.

© 2004 Inverell Times

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