FASTER NET FOR OUR KIDS

NINE Geelong schools are set to receive faster internet, the first cabs off the rank in a statewide upgrade of online links.

Education Minister James Merlino today will reveal that $16.4 million will be spent to improve regional connectivity.

Geelong region schools Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Ceres, Deans Marsh, Nelson Park, Newcomb Park, Oberon South, Rollins (Batesford cam- pus) and Whittington primary schools have been named as nine of the state’s first 63 government schools to have their internet bandwidth doubled.

Mr Merlino said Geelong region schools would have the same internet speeds as their metropolitan counterparts.

“Kids in Geelong and the Surf Coast will be the first in Victoria to benefit from this huge investment, which will give students the skills they will need for the jobs of the future,” he said.

“The upgrades will ensure local students get a first-rate digital education.”

Geelong MP Christine Couzens said fast and reliable connectivity was a key part of the modern classroom. “We are already upgrading schools right across Geelong and now we are ensuring every school gets the technology upgrade they need,” the Labor MP said.

“Kids in Geelong and the Surf Coast will be the first in Victoria to benefit from this huge investment, which will give students the skills they will need for the jobs of the future.” STATE EDUCATION MINISTER JAMES MERLINO