More than 220,000 students in regional and remote areas of NSW are benefiting from the NSW Government’s $365.8 million Rural Access Gap program. Funded by the Digital Restart Fund, the program is driving more opportunity to regional areas through connectivity, devices, and digital services.
Rural and remote schools have always had a variety of unique needs due to their location, such as isolation, economic hardship, skills shortages, and limited access to disability services.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell and Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello recently met with students and teachers at Leeton Public School, one of more than 1000 regional schools receiving help from this digital upgrade.
“So far we have invested more than $100 million in delivering 20,000 devices for students, 16,000 for teachers and more than 6,000 smart boards across regional and remote areas of NSW.” – Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell.
The Rural Access Gap program is a record investment in technology for regional school communities, providing students with digital tools they haven’t had access to before and truly breaking down the digital barrier.
“I have seen firsthand here at Leeton Public School and across regional NSW how this program is improving educational outcomes for regional students”. Mr. Dominello said working with schools to understand their needs and priorities and develop a plan for reaching their digital goals is crucial to closing the digital divide.
“This investment from the Digital Restart Fund ensures today’s students, no matter where they live, have the best access to tomorrow’s opportunities.” - Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello.
The program is delivering internet enhancements, learning space and platform upgrades, more external and on-site tech support, simplified admin processes, targeted training and giving teachers more time to focus on students.
What’s more, it is helping regional communities. In the Murray electorate alone, 59 schools have already received over 1700 devices to support their students and teachers. The program is also delivering internet enhancement, learning space and platform upgrades, more external and on-site tech support, simplified admin process, targeted training, better tools, and more time to focus on students.
For more information, check out the Rural Access Gap program.