National Grid for Learning

HC Deb 29 October 1999 vol 336 c1008W

Mr. Hilary Benn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional personal computers there are in schools as a result of the National Grid for Learning Initiative. [95639]

Jacqui Smith

A Statistical First Release, published in August, indicated that in 1999 there was, on average, one computer for every 13 pupils in primary schools compared to every 18 pupils in 1998. Similarly in secondary schools, there was one computer for every eight pupils in 1999 compared to every nine pupils in 1998. These are the first signs of the effect of the Government's focused investment on ICT in schools through the National Grid for Learning programme and we expect to see further improvement over the next two years.