The Finocchiaro CLP Government is investing $4 million per year until 2027 to provide students from 138 Territory schools with faster access to online learning resources through the "schools connectivity uplift program".
This initiative is providing for better educational outcomes for thousands of Territory students across the NT with 63 remote schools receiving upgrades via low earth orbit satellite installations and 75 schools receiving fibre upgrades.
Further to the uplift program, another project worth $2.8 million per year is upgrading the network cabling in schools and in turn enhancing wireless network coverage, delivering results for Territory students by providing a more stable and reliable connection combined with a broader distribution of wireless coverage.
The project is replacing all old cable infrastructure in schools with the latest standards, future-proofing schools for years to come.
It has already upgraded 37 schools with a further 36 identified as needing upgrades planned over the next three years.
The projects are a collaborative effort between the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Corporate and Digital Development.
Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey said: "Our Government is committed to improving school attendance as well as boosting literacy and numeracy."
"Students in some of the Territory's most remote schools now have access to high-speed internet for NAPLAN testing, which is occurring at the moment, a wide range of online reading and learning materials, and real-time interactions with peers and mentors around Australia and internationally," she said.
Minister for Corporate and Digital Development Joshua Burgoyne highlighted that the telecommunications upgrades were not only equipping our remote schools with high-speed digital connectivity, but also other essential services in communities.
"Upgrades to connectivity for other important sites such as Police, Health, and Parks and Wildlife, were also undertaken while workers were present on site," said Mr Burgoyne.
"The infrastructure uplift at these sites cost approximately $350,000 and has provided high-speed internet access to 16 police stations, 29 health clinics and 15 ranger stations."
