The Minister for Education, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, announced on 12 June 2008 that 896 secondary schools across Australia would receive funding for 116,820 computers in the first Round of the National Secondary School Computer Fund (the Fund).
The Fund is a key component of the Australian Government’s $1.2 billion Digital Education Revolution initiative.
The Australian Government is investing $1.1 billion over five years (2008–2012) through the Fund to provide for new or upgraded information and communications technology (ICT) for secondary schools with students in Years 9 to 12.
Schools are able to apply for up to $1 million from the Fund, dependent on enrolment, and are able to purchase laptops, desktop computers, and other technologies. Every Australian secondary school will benefit from the Fund over the life of the program.
The objective of Round One funding was to bring those schools with students, in years 9 to 12, with a computer to student ratio of 1:8 or worse to a target ratio of 1:2.
Through the Fund, grants of $1,000 per computer have been provided. Funding will be delivered through State and Territory Governments for government schools and Block Grant Authorities for non-government schools. Bulk purchasing arrangements will deliver savings that can be used for associated costs.
All schools that applied will be advised of the outcome of their application in writing. To view a list of the successful schools please see the Round One National Secondary School Computer Fund.
This is the first instalment of the Australian Government’s $1.1 billion Computer Fund. In the next stage, it is the Government’s aim to ensure that even more secondary schools across Australia with students from years 9 to 12 benefit from the Fund. In Round Two, the Government will be seeking to move all secondary schools to the target computer to student ratio of 1:2. By the end of 2008 funds will be available for all schools to move to a target ratio of 1:2.
Applications for Round Two of the Fund will open for secondary schools with years 9 to 12 students on 14 July 2008. In order to apply in Round Two, schools will need to be registered on School Entry Point
.
We encourage schools to start registering now if they have not already done so as this will ensure fast access to the application form once the Round has opened.
The Australian Government is working in partnership with state, territory, Catholic and Independent education authorities and continues to consult with other key stakeholders on the future implementation of the Fund. Further information on the Fund will be provided as planning progresses.