Warning on ‘digital divide’ in schools

Government and industry must invest heavily and soon to improve internet speeds nationally or risk schools, businesses, and the country lagging behind the rest of the world, a minister said.

Ciaran Cannon, the training and skills minister, said children in many areas are being disadvantaged by a growing digital divide.

As minister of state in the Department of Education, he hears regularly from primary teachers unable to use their technology skills in class because of inadequate broadband speeds.