Schools: Broadband

Mr. Swire
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what support is available to introduce broadband services into primary and secondary schools.

Ms Diana R. Johnson
The introduction of broadband into primary and secondary schools has been supported by both funding and regional support networks. Targets were set for over 99 per cent. of schools to be connected by the end of 2006, and by that date 98.96 per cent. of primary schools and 99.82 per cent. of secondary schools were reported as connected. Funding continues to be made available for the introduction of broadband and its use via the Harnessing Technology and School Development Grants and 10 regional broadband consortia support schools in their areas and nationally through the National Education Network.