11 February 1997 Call for technology grant to all schools

A capital grant to all schools in the next Budget specifically for information age technology is being called for by rural sector representatives attending the 14th Kellogg Rural Leadership Course at Lincoln University.

"All school pupils should have the electronic equipment necessary for full participation in the 'information age'," says Kellogg Course scholar Mark Oldfield of Timaru, on behalf of the course participants. Mr Oldfield chairs the board of trustees of a South Canterbury school.

"With the technology in place in schools, it could also be made available to everyone in the school communities.

"Educational progress demands that modern technology be available in all schools and it's essential for New Zealand to keep up with global developments in information technology in order to retain and enhance its competitive advantage in the world."

Lincoln University's Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme started in 1979 and is the country's top rural leadership training course. Many of its graduates occupy top positions in national politics, farmer politics, local authority and community affairs and rural sector businesses.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand