Clare

CURRAN

Communications and IT Spokesperson

02 July 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT

Govt caves in on Computers in Homes

Pressure from Labour and community organisations has forced the Government into a u-turn to restore funding for the popular and important Computers in Homes programme, Labour’s Communications and IT spokesperson Clare Curran said today.

“National has been backpedalling furiously since Labour revealed that $1.7 million had been cut from Computers in Homes – a vital programme for boosting digital literacy.

“The Government has finally announced that $1.6 million will come out of the education budget to cover the 44 per cent funding cut.

“This should never have happened. It’s another embarrassing education u-turn following the class sizes debacle last year.

“Computers in Homes and the 20/20 Communication Trust will be relieved by today’s news but they should never have been put in that situation

“The cut in the 2013 budget was short-sighted and mean spirited. These organisations and their staff were kept in limbo for months.

“Digital literacy is about the education and prospects of our young people. As our society becomes increasingly technology-driven we have to prioritise this facet of our young people’s education. The fact this funding cut was overlooked shows the scant regard National has for this important issue,” says Clare Curran.

ENDS

© Scoop Media