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UK Plans Cheap Web Access for All Students

Broadband to become compulsory under new schools program

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 4, 2008 11:50 AM CST

(Newser) – The Brown government is collaborating with Britain's top IT companies to provide Internet access to every child in the country. A major education review recently urged closing the widening achievement gap between rich and poor families. In effect, a broadband Internet connection is becoming compulsory, the Guardian reports.

The schools minister, Jim Knight, acknowleged he has "some crunchy negotiations" ahead of him as he attempts to persuade Microsoft, British Telecom, and other IT firms to lower the price of broadband access. But the gap has to be closed, he says, and Internet access is necessary for parents "to have a proper conversation and get properly involved in that child's learning."

New plans by the British government may make a broadband Internet connection compulsory for families with schoolchildren.
New plans by the British government may make a broadband Internet connection compulsory for families with schoolchildren.   ((c) crimfants)
New plans by the British government may make a broadband Internet connection compulsory for families with schoolchildren.
New plans by the British government may make a broadband Internet connection compulsory for families with schoolchildren.   (Flickr)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown attempts to help 13-year-old Natasha Varshani with her mathematics classwork during a visit to a school in London, Tuesday July 10, 2007.
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown attempts to help 13-year-old Natasha Varshani with her mathematics classwork during a visit to a school in London, Tuesday July 10, 2007.   (Associated Press)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Secretary of State for Children, Schools and families Ed Balls (right) during a visit to a school in London, Tuesday July 10, 2007.
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Secretary of State for Children, Schools and families Ed Balls (right) during a visit to a school in London, Tuesday July 10, 2007.   (Associated Press)
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