Third of schools have slow broadband

A THIRD of the country’s schools have an unreliable, slow broadband service which breaks down regularly and prevents pupils from using the internet effectively in class, according to a report to Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe.

More than 3,900, or 99% of the country’s primary and second level schools, had been set up with a broadband connection under the Department of Education programme by last summer.

But 40% (more than 1,500) of those schools are using a satellite broadband service, which consultants Norcontel have told Mr O’Keeffe’s department is the least suitable of available technologies.