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Politics put school computers into limbo
Monday 30 June 2008
The Iemma government has rolled over to the federal government on funding computer support and infrastructure, leaving many public schools without computers for every senior students for at least another year, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Dr Kaye said: "Public schools have yet again been caught in the political cross-fire.
"Senior students are missing out on the benefits of their own laptops while Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan and his NSW counterpart Michael Costa argue over who is going to pay for the electricity supply upgrades, networking, teacher training and support services.
"The internal Labor playground stoush is punishing NSW's public schools.
"The Greens have received reports of schools facing $15,000 bills for upgrading the electricity supplies to cope with the added power demands of charging laptops and other information technology.
"Treasurers Swan and Costa should settle their differences and work out who is going to pay for it.
"School principals and teachers have already wasted hundreds of hours preparing applications for the computers, only to be told that their work is to be ignored.
"Without funding for infrastructure and support, the entire program will collapse and students will go without laptops for yet another year.
"It is time for state and federal governments to set an example to students.
"They should stop bickering over who is going to pay and work with teachers and principals to design the best possible roll out," Dr Kaye said.
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
