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The government is providing up to $720,000 over three years to help put ICT at the heart of teaching programmes at local schools in two clusters.

Waitakere MP Lynne Pillay says Swanson School leads a West Auckland cluster – comprising Birdwood, Royal Road, and Sunnyvale schools – collaborating and sharing resources and online techniques, and staging annual expos showcasing student talent and teacher development of ICT.

A second cluster includes Fruitvale Road School in New Lynn and Titirangi School, joined with Owairaka District School in Mt Albert (leading) and Wesley Intermediate and Primary schools in Mt Roskill. This cluster will share skills in practical ICT work, combine electronic resources to support multi cultural contexts, and use an online resource to enhance teacher skills.

The schools are among 174 schools nationwide to join the programme this month. The government will provide more than $30 million over the next three years to support ICT clusters in schools.

"Around two-thirds of schools nationwide have been involved in the programme since it began in 1999, and the Labour-led government had invested more than $300 million in ICT for schools since 2000," said Lynne Pillay.

"Schools are using technology to make teaching more exciting and innovative, lifting standards for all students."

Each cluster in the programme gains funding of up to $120,000 per year over three years and has access to a national online network, ICT resources, professional development, and support from a professional facilitator.

Almost all children in NZ schools now have access to ICT and the associated learning opportunities, including broadband access to every school gate."

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