This is the name given to the government's plan to improve the level of resourcing in all schools to enable regular access to computers by all pupils, and to connect all schools to the Internet.
For the financial year 1998/1999, the funding to be provided amounted to £100 million, 50% provided by central government and 50% from the Local Education Authorities. A similar level of funding is to be provided for 1999/2000, and it appears that funding for 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 will be of the order of £180 million each year.
In addition, funding for training of teachers will be provided through the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) - this is expected to be about £230 million, spread over the four years from April 1999, and amounts to about £400 per teacher. Funding will be allocated direct to schools, who will be required to spend it on training provided by approved training agencies.
Finally, about £50 million is to be spent on creating National Grid content.
Page updated November 2nd 2002