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Of course,
BT is not the only one to realise how important this is. In November, the
Government announced its commitment to the National Grid for Learning, a
nationwide programme to encourage learning on the Internet. We are happy
and proud to be playing our part. BT now provides Internet services to one
in every six of the UK's schools. And It's not just in schools that the
impact is being felt. Training and educational material can be delivered
on-line to workplaces or homes, anywhere, anytime, via the Internet-based
service, Solstra, which BT jointly developed with Futuremedia.
But there's more than one type of network and BT and its people offer support,
advice and real partnership in many other ways. We run a number of programmes
to foster links between education and business, introducing pupils to the
world of work and helping them prepare for their working life. These range
from work experience and teacher placements in the company to awards schemes
for schools, colleges and universities.
Over the next couple of years, as part of BT's FutureTalk Millennium Project,
we are running a nationwide, drama-based education programme, aimed at nine
to 12-year-olds. Drama groups will visit 3,500 schools around the UK, giving
performances and running workshops to help raise the communications skills
of young people. The visits will be followed up with further workshops,
teaching modules, poetry and story-telling. |