Carolyn Male MP, State Member for Pine Rivers, has said that by the end of March 338 teachers in the Pine Rivers electorate will have a laptop as part of the Bligh Government’s $70 million Computers for Teachers program - more than 12 months ahead of schedule and on budget.

Carolyn Male MP said every permanent teacher working two or more days a week in state schools and TAFE institutes would soon have the tool of trade they needed in today’s digital world.

“In July 2007, we announced a four-year target and a $70 million investment,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“We’ve met that challenge, more than 12 months ahead of schedule - and we’re on budget.”

Carolyn Male MP said the laptop program was changing the way teachers thought about teaching, and the way they taught.

“For example, rather than just reaching for a novel, teachers are now connecting their students to the people who wrote the novel through blogs and online discussions with authors,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“Our aim is to help teachers advance their ICT skills so they can plug their teaching into the digital world and connect their students to the digital world.”

Carolyn Male MP said the Bligh Government funded the initiative in 2007 after a successful trial in 2006.

“The first 12,000 laptops issued are now scheduled for replacement this year,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“Refreshing the laptop fleet helps our teachers keep their digital practices up with the latest technological changes.”

The Bligh Government will continue to invest $20 million a year in this ongoing program.