The objective of the FCS is to develop Australian schools as technology rich learning environments that are underpinned by access to high speed broadband infrastructure that:
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is acquired on a basis that allows it to be used to its maximum capacity;
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facilitates collaboration between schools and across schools networks; and
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contributes to wide policy goals relating to education, social inclusion, workforce participation and productivity.
The FCS implementation approach will be aligned with the overall approach to implementing the Digital Education Revolution (DER). It will focus on full engagement with State and Territory governments and non-government schools authorities.
By December 2008, an implementation plan will be provided to the Coalition of Australian Governments’ Productivity Agenda Working Group.
That implementation plan will be developed on the basis of formal stakeholder engagement that will occur in two phases:
Phase 1 (May/June 2008) focussed on:
- baseline of school connectivity across jurisdictions and schools sectors; and
- vision of national connectivity for Australian schools
- concepts including collaboration, affordability, sustainability, scalability to be canvassed on one-on-one meetings and in a discussion paper for stakeholder comment to be developed by DEEWR.
Phase 2 (August/September 2008), focussed on:
- High level strategies for realising the vision that are informed by the particular circumstances of each jurisdiction/sector;
- Investment principles to guide FCS investments that reflect the agreed vision probably including criteria that would promote collaboration across networks; and
- Priority areas of activity for FCS investment in 2008-09.
These deliverables will be components of the implementation plan for the FCS. See a model of their relationship to each other and to the overarching plan
(561.2 KB) for further details.
We expect that an expert group to examine cross-jurisdictional approaches and strategies under the Australian ICT in Education Committee will be established.
Formal consultations with state and territory school jurisdictions, independent and Catholic school systems and other key stakeholders will commence in May 2008. Preliminary meetings took place in March 2008 with a small number of stakeholders. See the list of stakeholder consultations.