The Territory Labor Government has today launched a new three year strategy aimed at enhanced technology use in schools and reducing the digital divide between the NT’s remote and urban students.
The Accelerate – Education for All with Technology and Information 2019-2022 strategy puts in place the framework to harness the opportunities of the digital age and to transform the delivery of education through technology.
In the vast Northern Territory, with its 108 remote and very remote schools, the number one action identified in the strategy is to increase the connectivity of communities to support better learning, engagement and growth.
Equity of access is a key principle of the strategy and is being improved through LAN upgrades and remote connectivity projects.
These are working towards reducing the digital divide, to ensure teachers and students in remote locations have access to the same world class learning experiences their urban counterparts do.
Through the trial of a Virtual School, the strategy is also aiming to engage remote, transient senior years students, using technology, rather than a traditional face-to-face classroom setting.
A copy of the strategy can be found at: https://education.nt.gov.au/statistics-research-and-strategies/accelerate-strategy
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Selena Uibo.
“Every child, no matter where they live, deserves access to the same quality education, so they can engage, grow and achieve their full potential.
“Using digital technology, there are now opportunities we have not previously had to connect our teachers and students within the Northern Territory and beyond, to deliver world class learning experiences.
“Our children and young people need to prepare for the jobs of the future. Today’s studnets will graduate into a workforce that expects higher order thinking skills, digital fluency and the ability to collaborate and solve complex problems.
“The Territory Labor Government is investing to ensure our children build these skills in a safe, secure and connected digital environment.”
Media contact: Kim Stephens 0417 683 144