IT is on the agenda for the NSW election with the Labor government promising more spending on the provision of IT services for schools and libraries if re-elected.
Under its re-election plan Labor says that it will provide an additional 25,0000 computers to NSW schools, give computer training to 25,000 teachers and will provide good quality Internet access to all public libraries in the state.
The expansion of library services will give high quality Internet access to libraries in remote and rural communities throughout the state. According to NSW Premier Bob Carr, all libraries in the state will be connected to the net by the high speed NSW.net service.
"Previously Internet access at many libraries has been slow and expensive, but country libraries will now have the same quality of Internet access as people in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong," Carr remarked.
Labor also says that it will test all year 6 and year 10 students to determine their computer proficiency and require all new teachers to be computer proficient as a condition of employment.
"Good computer skills and a thorough knowledge of new technology are essential for today's students as they prepare for future employment and life," Carr stated.
The Coalition has also made I.T. a major issue on its election campaign, also promising to improve services to NSW schools and to provide laptop computers to all NSW teachers.
