Schools in East Sussex are near the top of the class when it comes to making use of broadband technologies.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said every primary and secondary school in England and Wales would be provided with broadband internet access by 2006 part of a broader £6 billion investment in information and communications technology (ICT).

East Sussex's schools are already ahead of both local and national targets.

Bill Good, schools internet project manager, said 78 schools out of 195 (40 per cent)

had or were about to get a broadband connection, compared to national targets of 20 per cent by August this year and 30 per cent by next August.

The county was well on course meet its target of 50 per cent of schools, libraries and community learning centres by 2004.

He said attaining 100 per cent broadband access by 2006 would be bit more difficult" but it was essential for students to have the fastest internet access.

Mr Good said: "We've achieved this by careful budget management. What means for youngsters is they aren't waiting forever for web pages to load.

They stay motivated and valuable teacher time isn't wasted.

"It also helps develop new forms learning because, besides downloading files and browsing web pages, there are more opportunities for interactive learning.

"We've had video-conferences with Japan as part of a cultural exchange, online video shows and accessed online curriculum materials, which all help to make learning more interactive."

Mr Good said the main problem facing many schools was sustainability.

He said: "There are no guarantees of future funding, which could amount to significant costs for schools."

Many people have criticised the Government's slow broadband progress, with relatively low consumer take-up and difficulties obtaining the service in remote areas.

Even e-envoy Andrew Pinder, who is in charge of promoting the technology, has been unable to get the service in his south Shropshire home.

Mr Blair said: "The Government has made the largest investment in public services in post-war history but with it promised radicial institutional reform in the public sector. Our task is to use the additional investment to shape public services that meet modern consumer expectations."

www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk
www.e-envoy.gov.uk