The Federal Government has awarded $27 million to 12 projects under the new NBN-Enabled Education and Skills Services Program, which aims to integrate the use of the National Broadband Network into schools to enhance education and training outcomes for students.

 

Minister for School Education Peter Garrett announced the successful pilot programs during an interactive online drama workshop with the Bell Shakespeare Company at the Sydney Opera House and students at Willunga High School in South Australia.

 

More than 150 applications were received from registered training organisations, TAFEs, schools, universities and not-for-profit organisations for the program.

 

“Nine of the 12 projects that have been successful in receiving funding involve schools, which will greatly increase the learning potential of students and broaden the skill-set of teachers using the new technologies,” Mr Garrett said

 

“The Australian Youth Orchestra’s $1.5 million Digital Connection Trial also received funding and demonstrates how the world-leading performance of the NBN can support video communications between city, regional and remote areas for interviews, live auditions and master classes for students – right from their own homes, classrooms, rehearsal spaces and concert halls.”

 

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Stephen Conroy, said the 12 projects will deliver high quality, accessible and sustainable online services to Australian schools, TAFEs, universities, workplaces and homes via the NBN.

 

"The chosen projects take advantage of the NBN’s fast and reliable broadband to deliver education opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to most students in regional and remote Australia,” Senator Conroy said.

 

For a full list of the 12 successful grants, and for more information, visit: www.deewr.gov.au