Bradford schools received a high-tech Christmas present today with the announcement that £1.6 million is to be spent in the district to take computer facilities into the 21st century.

The money comes from the Government following their National Grid for Learning pledge to get every school in the country on the internet by the year 2002.

Some of the cash will also be earmarked to train teachers in using computers and multi-media packages as well as providing curriculum support materials. Denholme First School head teacher Mark Newman said he was delighted the money was coming to Bradford.

"Some schools are living in the dark ages in terms of technical facilities," he said. "£1.6 million will put an awful lot of computers into schools. You can get a good multi-media package for just £500, so £6,000 would equip a school like ours with 12 very good computers."

Councillor David Ward, education spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, hailed the announcement as "absolutely wonderful." And Conservative Group Leader Margaret Eaton also welcomed the £1.6 million.

The National Grid for Learning cash will build on Bradford's trailblazing £12 million Edunet 2000 project to connect schools to a district-wide computer network.

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