The Welsh Government has pledged £50 million of funding for this financial year to support the take-up of education technology in the country’s state schools.
Education Minister Kirsty Williams announced the expansion of the Hwb programme, saying it is the biggest digital investment so far in the national education sector.
The money will be used to buy edtech equipment and help schools gain a better understanding of Wales’ digital infrastructure, and to help them comply with the programme’s Education Digital Standards.
Local authorities will serve as strategic delivery partners for the programme, using the funding within their areas to upgrade the schools to the national standard.
Williams (pictured) said: “I am pleased to announce this additional fund of £50 million to raise the quality of EdTech equipment within our schools.
“This funding provides us with the opportunity to deliver a more sustainable EdTech model for schools, with local authorities working collaboratively to ensure consistency across Wales.
“The money will also guarantee that schools are better equipped to embrace the changes brought about by the new Curriculum for Wales, and further demonstrates our commitment to digital learning, highlighting the importance technology plays within education.
“This is about more than just buying new bits of kit. The programme will transform how our local authorities and schools approach digital delivery, ensuring our children are digitally provisioned well into the future.”
Image from Welsh Government, Open Government Licence v3.0
