I bet the Ruddy fool will trash our economy before his term is out.
On Jul 19, 11:38=A0pm, Sir John Howard wrote:
> KRudd schools PC plan in doubt
>
> http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24038896-15306,00.html
>
> FEARS are growing that state schools will shun the landmark
> ''computers for schools'' program because they cannot afford the
> running costs.
> With the second round of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's "$1.2 billion
> digital education revolution" having begun, more schools are being
> invited to apply for federal government-funded computers.
>
> However they will have to fork out thousands of dollars for the
> installation, running and maintenance of the computers.
>
> Ian Ferguson, president of the Queensland Secondary Principals
> Association, said it was a "major concern".
>
> "The supply of the computers is not enough by itself," he said.
>
> "The ongoing costs of fitting, electricity, technical support and
> teacher training must be considered.
> "I wouldn't be surprised if principals decide not to proceed with
> their applications."
>
> It comes as between 20 and 40 schools in South Australia opt out of
> the scheme, while the NSW Government demands a $245 million top-up to
> fund running costs.
>
> The scheme is the backbone of Mr Rudd's key election promise of an
> education revolution, and aims to give Year 9 to 12 students access to
> a computer on a ratio of one computer to two children at every school.
>
> In the first round of applications, only 70 Queensland schools
> received $6.8 million in funding for computers, with the state
> covering installation costs.
>
> State Education Minister Rod Welford said he was "in negotiations"
> with the Federal Government, and hoped extra funding would become
> available.
>
> "We have taken a cautious approach to the first phase because of the
> add-in costs of installing the computers," he said.
>
> "It is very early days and it would be premature to say the program
> isn't working.
>
> "Obviously in the early phase there will be large numbers of computers
> delivered to schools and the logistics of installing those will have
> to be worked out.
>
> "We are much more reasonable than NSW in our approach and negotiations
> with the Federal Government."
>
> Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan said he was working with the states
> towards "sorting out some allocation".
>
> Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard said the majority of schools
> would still want computers, despite the costs.
>
> "Out of all the schools we invited to apply for computers in phase
> one, 95 per cent did so," she said.
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