18 January 2007

The government has claimed that £5 billion will be spent helping youngsters to use the Internet by 2008.

Jim Knight, the minister of state responsible for technology, states that technology and the Internet have the potential to "revolutionise education in this country".

The minister also noted that he would be chairing the task force charged with the role of ensuring the availability of IT and web access to every school-age child.

Some one in five schools have currently integrated ICT and the Internet into their teaching strategy, while others must follow suit, asserted Mr Knight.

"To succeed in the 21st century every child needs to be totally familiar with ICT. It will be an integral part of their functioning as a citizen ... now the tools exist to ensure that no child is excluded," he remarked.

Last week, Mr Knight stated that a "sustainable solution" was needed to offer IT to all children - which would impact upon youngsters of the future rather than just one generation, the BBC reported.

© Adfero Ltd

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