Schools to lose state subsidies for internet, computers - CT
Prague- The Education Ministry will not receive subsidies for internet access and computers at schools from the 2007 state budget, public Czech Television (CT) reported today.
The ministry was originally to receive one billion crowns for this purpose until 2010, but deputies did not support it.
Primarily small schools will face problems as the ministry has so far funded their internet access, CT says.
The Association of School IT Experts called on deputies to approve subsidies for computers and internet at schools, but in vain.
"Hardly anybody can realise that we are the second worst in the EU in this respect now, only Greece is behind us," Lenka Suchankova from the association told CT.
Some schools where internet is centrally funded by the Education Ministry will simply lose this possibility. Other schools will be stripped of state subsidies for IT. They will have to halt the purchase of software as well as the maintenance and upgrading of their computer network and IT courses for teachers.
The Education Ministry has promised to find some resources for IT at schools. However, until then schools must fund their internet access from their own pockets or ask municipalities for support, CT said.
Comments