It is not quite the late Christmas present FE lecturers might have hoped for, but some might say that it is better than nothing: 4,000 teaching staff in the sector will receive a subsidy of up to pound;500 to help them buy their own computer.
Learning and technology minister Michael Wills announced the scheme at this week’s BETT education technology exhibition in London. The scheme, which will be run by the Learning and Skills Council, is due to start in the autmn.
A Department for Education and Employment spokesperson said the initiative was a “starting point”, with the hope of more funding in the future. However, it is something of a damp squib for lecturers hoping for parity with their colleagues in schools who shared pound;20 million in subsidies last year.
The scheme, for England only, will also be open to staff in sixth-form colleges who were not eligible for Computers for Teachers cash last year.
