This release was issued under a previous government.

Students and teachers will have quicker access to educational resources thanks to government funding to increase network connection speed in schools.

“Our students and teachers require access to digital resources and online content in their daily learning environments,” said Premier Alison Redford. “This investment ensures our education system is better positioned to respond to the increasing use of technology by students and teachers in the classroom.”

Government will inject $1.3 million to help school boards across the province increase SuperNet capacity. Funding for each school will increase about $200 per month and result in faster services and lower network costs.

“The speed for technology use for our students and teachers has just increased significantly,” said Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk. “Today’s students and teachers need adequate capacity to effectively use learning tools such as streaming video and personal devices.”

SuperNet is a critical piece of technology infrastructure that connects Alberta’s almost 600,000 students and teachers and more than 1,800 schools with the world.

“Alberta’s SuperNet connects 429 communities with more than 12,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable and wireless infrastructure, giving classrooms, libraries and other public facilities around the province access to unparalleled videoconferencing and a range of Internet services,” said Service Alberta Minister Manmeet Bhullar. “This additional funding helps classrooms realize the full potential of the SuperNet.”

Increased SuperNet capacity also supports government’s commitment to a more inclusive education system. A rural school, for example, can better connect students to specialized service providers, such as speech language pathologists who might not be available directly in the community, via videoconference.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Tim Chamberlin
Communications
Education
780-644-6821
780-718-2370 (cell)
[email protected]

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.