Government is pushing ahead with plans to put computers in all primary and middle schools.

The $750,000 programme will see every Primary One to Primary Three class having two computers in each classroom by the end of October, Permanent Education Secretary Michelle Khaldun said yesterday.

Any by the end of the year middle schools will also be kitted out with computers.

Education Minister Sen. Milton Scott said: "It's part of a comprehensive IT strategy plan.

"This year computers are being installed in all middle schools replacing obsolete ones.

"Some schools will take a little longer because they don't have the infrastructure but they are in Sandys and in Dellwood and we are looking to have them in the rest of the schools by the end of the year -- two labs in each school.

"In some schools we are replacing what's currently there -- eventually every school will have a pod of computers.

"We put in computers at the P1 level last year and we are moving to put them in P2 and further up the system -- eventually all classes will have computers at the primary and middle school level.

"It's linked to the Language Arts Programme called Literacy Place 2000.'' Ms Khaldun said: "Computers themselves don't do anything. It's another tool just like a textbook.

"Children will go to computers to answer certain problems related to the literacy text.

"We are looking to do two things -- to get people used to IT at an early age and enhance learning by using computers to do it.'' And she said children who struggled with traditional learning methods sometimes came to life when computers were involved and showed creative sides which had previously remained hidden.

She explained: "Programmes at senior school level show there has been anecdotal information which supports that.

"Research shows young people are much more adept than adults in using IT and in some cases it enhances learning.

"Most libraries are hooked up to the Internet and we are looking to expand.

It is an excellent tool for downloading research.'' She said schools could link up with others internationally to see how they tackled problems.

But she said: "There's some reality attached to this besides financially.

"There's the training of teachers on how to use technology in the classroom day to day, to get them comfortable.

"We will put aside money to assist staff development.

"We can use staff development time regulated from the union agreement last year to do that. We don't want to take away from instructional time.'' Computer access: Milton Scott