We’ve launched a new $33 million Digital Strategy for public schools and preschools to ensure students build the digital skills they need to thrive and secure the jobs of the future.

The creation of a new specialist Digital Guarantee Unit is the centrepiece of the strategy.

By blending experts in the fields of curriculum and ICT, the Digital Guarantee Unit will give schools and teachers a central point of advice and support covering what technology to use and how to use it most effectively to improve student outcomes. This includes using technology in a way that is safe, balanced and age-appropriate.

The unit will be responsible for delivering on the strategy’s commitment to equity in students’ access to technologies. $23 million of new spending will be invested to improve access to devices for students, as well as provide home-based internet solutions for families where cost is a barrier.

In addition, the unit will help to build digital capacity within the teaching workforce through tailored training and support, and work with schools to ensure all teachers have a quality device to support their work.

The ambition set out in the strategy is possible because of the work done over the past three years to deliver a fast, reliable internet connection to every public school in the state through the SWiFT project.

Physically linking the fibre optic network to our schools and preschools, and securing high-speed, high-quality alternatives for the handful where that wasn’t possible, is a legacy that will support generations of students to come.