NZ Interface Magazine | Schools can't afford students' internet downloads

All Articles

Schools can't afford students' internet downloads

Comments |

Print |

Schools are struggling to pay for information students download from the internet, leaving taxpayers and parents to pick up the tab.

With Queensland taxpayers expected to fork out $4 million this year for the internet use of public students, independent schools say they should be exempt from paying digital copyright or be propped up by taxpayers.

Parents who send their children to private schools are dipping into their own pockets to help educate their children, who are becoming less reliant on books and favouring the expediency of the internet.

Education Queensland spokesman David O'Hagan said a centrally managed internet service was provided to students.

"Year-on-year costs for the provision of this service is rising due to increased demand and access to educational content via the internet," he said. "The estimated cost in 2012 is $4.076 million, which includes … internet downloads and filtering."

Independent Schools Queensland executive director David Robertson said copyright costs were likely to increase as copyright agencies sought to extend charges to digital content.

"ISQ believes there is a strong case for schools to be exempted from digital copyright charges as a way of promoting the use of digital resources for school education," he said.

And a submission to a Federal Senate inquiry by the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia has also flagged the emerging problem and has asked for more federal funding.

Source: The Australian

Comments