DfE invests $58.5m in schools connectivity

DfE invests $58.

• $25m to upgrade wireless networks in classrooms
• $20m to complete fibre upgrades to 833 schools

What happened: DfE announces investment for schools

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a £45 million investment to improve connectivity and make digital standards a requirement for all schools in England. This includes £25 million to upgrade wireless networks this year, ensuring classrooms are better connected, and £20 million to complete fibre upgrades to 833 schools. The investment aims to close the digital divide in education, ensuring all children can benefit from a modernised system.

The DfE has also launched a consultation to gather views on its ambition for all schools and colleges to meet six core digital standards by 2030. These standards cover broadband internet, wireless networks, network switches, digital leadership and governance, filtering and monitoring, and cybersecurity. The consultation will be open for eight weeks, seeking input from educators and stakeholders to shape the future of digital education.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said,“We are modernising our education system with a digital revolution in classrooms, improving children’s life chances through higher standards of teaching and learning. I am determined to level the playing field, ensuring secure and accessible technology for every school.”

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Why it is important

The DfE’s investment and consultation are significant steps towards addressing the digital divide in education. Research by the Education Endowment Foundation has shown that effective use of technology can accelerate learning, but only 63% of schools reported having a fully functional Wi-Fi signal throughout the school in the 2023 Technology in Schools Survey. This highlights the need for reliable, high-speed internet and IT infrastructure in schools.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, welcomed the investment, stating, “It is essential that every school has access to reliable, high-speed internet. The pressure on school budgets has made it increasingly difficult to keep up with the digital revolution. We welcome this investment and hope it is a sign of continued support.”

The investment aligns with the government’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which aims to promote inclusion across society. By providing schools with the necessary resources, the DfE hopes to ensure that all children can benefit from modernised education systems, regardless of their background.