It's still good to see the tech advance of computers and networking in schools within Northern Ireland, ah, my homeland... (I just hope it's not that RM stuff... eek! Ed.)
Schools in Northern Ireland are to get 23,000 PCs as part of a £60m outsourced infrastructure deal. Post-primary schools will receive the new PC's, running Windows XP, which will give children access to up to 200 learning applications based on the National Curriculum.
Outsourcer Sx3 has signed a five-year deal to deliver and run the infrastructure. "The aim is to improve the quality of classroom teaching using IT," said Jimmy Stewart, director of C2K.
The schools were able to buy the necessary Microsoft licences at a discounted rate under an agreement signed between the government and the software maker. (there's always an angle aint there... Ed.)
Installation of the Pentium-based desktops, and servers running Windows 2000, is scheduled to begin in June this year. The full roll-out starts in September, and is due to be completed by early 2004. Additionally, 12,000 laptops for teachers, and desktops for 900 primary schools will be rolled out.
News source: vnunet
