Albany schools get high-tech

5/09/05
Work is under way on the Gallop Government's $2.41million commitment to turn every school in Albany into a high-tech computer school.
Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said Albany Senior High School and Yakamia, Albany, Little Grove and Flinders Park primary schools would share in the multi-million dollar funding which included $496,000 for teachers' professional development.
"It is expected that the computers will be set up and the professional development programs will be in place by July next year," Ms Ravlich said.
"Once the upgrade is complete, there will be one computer for every three students in Years Eight to 10 and in Years 11 and 12 there will be one computer for every four students at Albany Senior High School.
"At Yakamia, Albany, Little Grove and Flinders Park primary schools there will be one computer for every eight students in Years One to Three and one computer for every five students in Years Four to Seven.
"Pre-primary students will not miss out, with one computer for every 10 students."
The Minister said the schools would join Spencer Park and Mount Lockyer primary schools, Spencer Park and Albany Secondary education support centres and North Albany High School, which had already received upgrades as part of the State Government's '100 Schools' program.
Ms Ravlich said the impressive computer-to-student ratio was important, but nowhere near as important as professional development for teachers, strong infrastructure support and technical back-up.
"Computers need to be tools for learning, and they can only fulfill that function if they work properly, and if teachers receive the correct training," she said.
"There would be similar benefits for schools in other regional areas, including the Mid-West, Bunbury, Busselton and the Pilbara and in the metropolitan areas of Belridge, Carine, Padbury, the Eastern Hills, Forrestfield and Willetton."
"The four-year cost of the $29.5million program will include $10.38million for teacher training".
"We have already funded major computer upgrades for 100 schools across the State.
"Under this initiative, another 105 schools will be brought up to contemporary standards of technological excellence."
The Gallop Government is committed to improving education and training to all Western Australians no matter where they live.
Minister's office: 9213 6800