In 1994-95, there will be 24 PAFT programmes in operation. Considerably increased expenditure would be required to ensure that all families who wished to participate in the programme were able to do so. The widespread application of information technology has changed the lifestyles of New Zealanders. It has changed the way New Zealand firms and their overseas competitors do business. Information technology must be part of the curriculum of every New Zealand student.
Computer applications can improve the effectiveness with which students learn fundamental skills.
In the school sector, the community has made a significant contribution to providing students with access to computers. However, New Zealand students still have too little access to computers and other information technologies in classroom learning. To improve this situation significantly, it is desirable to increase, by 2001, the level of information technology equipment in classrooms from the 1994 level of approximately one computer per 17 students to a level of one computer per five students. Meeting the targets for 1998 and 2001 creates a challenge for the community. The level of information technology resources in schools in 1994 is relatively low.