Report finds 98% of schools have broadband

THEY may not be able to afford running water or sufficient classrooms but at least Irish schools can keep up to date with developments on their plight — thanks to an initiative to equip them with cheap and speedy internet access.

According to a progress report released yesterday, 98% of all primary and secondary schools around the country have broadband, which provides swift access and download times and is always on so it does not incur repeated connection charges.

The Schools Broadband Access Programme was begun in 2004 as a joint initiative between the Government and the Telecommunications and Internet Federation, which represents businesses in the field and donated €15 million of the €18m needed to fund the programme.

Education and Science Minister Mary Hanafin welcomed the progress.

“Information and communications technology in the classroom is important, both in terms of giving students the opportunity to achieve computer literacy and acquire the necessary skills for the participation in the information society and in terms of enhancing the educational experience across the broad range of subjects taught in schools,” she said.

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan commended the industry for their involvement in the initiative. “We will continue to work with industry to provide faster speeds and widespread broadband availability, and new technologies across the country,” he said.

However, industry representatives warned the work was not complete and the Government would have to commit to ongoing investment to fund new computers, better networks and training and curriculum development.

“In a world where every business uses computers and the internet, it is essential that students have full access to these technologies,” said Gerry Fahy of Vodafone, one of the sponsoring companies within the federation.

Meanwhile, federation director Tommy McCabe said the programme was crucial to the country’s future economic success.

“It will help attract future high-level investment and skilled jobs to the country,” he said.