Free PC scheme begins

12:54 23rd October 2008

The government has launched the first stage of its £300 million IT learning scheme, with 20,000 children in Suffolk and Oldham to receive free computers and internet access.

The next-generation learning initiative plans to narrow the digital divide in Britain by supplying youngsters aged seven to 18 with free PCs, software, broadband and technical support.

If successful, the scheme will be rolled out to 150,000 children in families whose annual incomes are less than £15,000.

Jim Knight, schools minister, explained that the programme was designed to promote the educational benefits of IT.

He said: "The bottom line is that having home access to the internet or a computer is no longer an optional extra for school work - it is fast becoming essential.

"There has to be a culture where families see that home access is as important as making sure their children have pen, paper and calculator at school."

Last week, the IT watchdog Becta suggested that schools need to speed up their adoption of IT systems and hardware to maximise their potential.