§ Mr. AllanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what targets have been set for increasing the percentage of high specification computers in schools for(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [140433]
§ Mr. WillsOur target is that there should be a computer for every 8 pupils in primary schools, and for every five pupils in secondary schools by 2004. In doing so we are committed to achieving a baseline level of access to ICT—equivalent to access to a computer for every 11 pupils in all primary schools, and for every seven pupils in all secondary schools—by 31 August 2002.
The Department does not prescribe the specification of computers to be used in schools as this will change as technology develops, and schools will be best placed to provide the ICT they consider necessary to improve educational opportunities for their pupils.