Alberta government spends $1.3 million on faster Internet for schools

EDMONTON - Premier Alison Redford on Thursday announced the province will spend $1.3 million to give Alberta schools faster Internet access.

The contribution means each Alberta school will get $200 additional dollars each month to increase SuperNet capacity.

“This investment ensures our education system is better positioned to respond to the increasing use of technology by students and teachers in the classroom,” Redford said in a statement.

The SuperNet is used by almost 600,000 students at more than 1,800 schools in Alberta. The 12,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable also connects libraries and other public facilities in 429 communities across the province.

The money will effectively increase the speed of the Internet connection.

“The speed for technology use for our students and teachers has just increased significantly,” education minister Thomas Lukaszuk said in an statement.

“Today’s students and teachers need adequate capacity to effectively use learning tools such as streaming video and personal devices.”