Schools in Blaenau Gwent will benefit from gigabit-speed internet, up to 10 times as fast as current connections.
The way young children learn in the south-east of Wales is set to be transformed by an investment in new infrastructure. As part of the Welsh government’s Tech Valleys programme, 17 primary schools across the county borough of Blaenau Gwent are being upgraded to 1 gigabit (GB) per second broadband.
Photo by Compare Fibre / Unsplash
Many of the schools have already been upgraded, and the rest should be completed by September, in time for the new school year.
These faster connections will mean the schools can reliably use digital whiteboards, video conferencing, online learning platforms and resource-heavy applications – all at once. That means teachers and pupils can take advantage of the latest, state-of-the-art learning tools, including video streams, interactive lessons and cloud-based tools.
While that’s a short-term gain for students, the upgrade is a long-term investment in a digitally skilled workforce of the future, as part of Tech Valleys’ wider aims to boost STEM skills and long-term opportunity for young people across the region.
The upgrade is being funded by Tech Valleys and delivered in partnership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the Shared Resource Service, which provides technology services to the public sector in South Wales.
Adam Price MS, Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, says: ‘This investment builds on the solid foundations already laid through the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation programme, taking the existing fibre network in these schools and unlocking its full potential with gigabit-speed capability.
‘The difference this makes in the classroom is real and immediate. Lessons are more dynamic, engaging and better equipped to develop the digital skills that young people will need throughout their lives and careers.’
Anna Brychan MS, Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, adds: ‘This kind of investment — targeted, practical and focused on outcomes — supports our ambition to raise educational standards across Wales. Young learners in Blaenau Gwent will now have improved classroom experiences with reliable access to richer digital content and immersive experiences.
‘Ensuring every young person in Wales can access the best possible education, regardless of where they live, is central to everything we are doing as a government. I’m pleased these increased speeds will enhance in-class learning while also enabling real-time support for learners when they cannot attend school.’
Cllr John Morgan, Cabinet Member for Economy and Place at Blaenau Gwent Council, says: ‘We welcome this important investment in digital infrastructure for our primary schools, which will make a real difference to how our children learn and grow, and would like to thank the Tech Valleys programme for its continued support to Blaenau Gwent. The programme is helping to improve not just our infrastructure, but also the opportunities for people and businesses. We’re pleased to continue working in partnership with Welsh Government on building a stronger local economy and vibrant places and creating a better future for our communities.
‘The upgrade will mean faster, more reliable internet, giving learners a better classroom experience and helping them build the digital skills they’ll need for the future.’
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