§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what monitoring of local education authorities his Department undertakes to ensure that ICT funding is distributed to schools in an appropriate manner. [146085]
§ Mr. WillsLocal education authorities have submitted ICT development plans that indicate how they propose to achieve the National Grid for Learning targets in their schools, and provide regular reports on how these are being implemented. From 2001 these reports will also be used to identify progress towards the minimum standards of ICT provision in schools defined as the NGfL baseline. Complementary information is collected at national level through the DfEE's annual survey of ICT in schools, while expenditure supported by NGfL funding is audited alongside that funded by other Standards Fund grants.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the advice he offers to local education authorities on the distribution of ICT funds to schools. [146084]
§ Mr. WillsResearch proves that ICT can deliver real educational benefits for both teachers and learners.
By supporting £657 million of expenditure on ICT in schools between 1998 and 2002 as part of the National Grid for Learning initiative—and by committing a further £710 million of support between 2002 and 2004—we intend to make these benefits available in all schools.
To ensure that this investment is used effectively, local education authorities and schools can access detailed guidance on the Standards Fund website (http://www.dfee.gov.uk/standardsfund/) including copies of relevant DfEE circulars. The guidance makes clear that in devolving funding to schools, LEAs must ensure that schools are able to achieve the targets set out in 1998 in the NGfL Challenge, and that in doing so, they meet the minimum standards of ICT provision defined in the NGfL baseline.