Schools must focus on uses for broadband

The education sector needs to focus more on applications if it is to make the most of its lead in broadband technology, says schools watchdog Ofsted.

So far the emphasis has been on providing infrastructure, co-ordinated by Local Education Authorities and Regional Broadband Consortia (RBCs).

UK schools are on course to meet government targets of having broadband access by 2006. But few make significant use of software that specifically requires broadband, says Ofsted's annual ICT in Schools report, published last week.

And the role of RBCs needs reviewing, says the report.

'At the regional level there is a need to move the support for broadband from its focus on infrastructure to ensure that more effective use is made of the opportunities offered by it,' says Ofsted.

'As part of this, the role of the RBCs should be reviewed and any continuation of regional support should be aimed squarely at exploiting the full educational benefit of broadband.'