There is also concern in some quarters that the emphasis on educational use of computers and the Internet will disadvantage children whose families cannot afford to match their schools' facilities at home. But the Education Secretary, David Blunkett, says the country cannot avoid the inevitable progression of technology - and that all youngsters will be disadvantaged if this investment is not made. Better that the children have access at school, at least, than not at all, he argues. He is also establishing after-school homework clubs in one in four primary schools, and he wants to see the manufacturers of computer games machines broaden their use for educational purposes. Speaking on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, Mr Blunkett stressed that the 230m the government is spending on training teachers to use the new technologies is in addition to the money announced by the prime minister for hardware and Net access.
Unions welcome the funding but wonder if it is enough.
The Secondary Heads' Association says research has indicated that the amount spent on training should at least equal the money spent on equipment if systems were to be successful. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.