NEARLY £890,000 could be poured into ICT resources across Monmouthshire's schools.

Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) wants to upgrade and renew ICT (Information and Communcations Technology) programmes in schools, ensuring they're all in line with Welsh Government standards.

If plans are approved, broadband in both primary and secondary schools could get a boost promising a 100MB connection for primary schools and 1GB for secondary. Currently several schools are running on speeds as low as 10MB.

The new plans, if approved, would mean faster internet speeds.

Sian Hayward, digital and technology manager, said: "Broadband capacity is too small in many schools – it's like trying to get to Cardiff in the rush hour using a country lane because the motorway is closed.

"The internet connection isn't fast enough to support the number of people using it, so we will need to upgrade it further to make it future proof and fit for purpose.

Funding would promote secure online access and rollout a programme called SIMS (School Information Management System) across all classrooms.

The scheme will be rolled out in two phases. The first will upgrade Wi-Fi, networks, equipments, servers and internet connections. This will ensure all schools have equal ICT provision and should be completed in six to nine months time.

The second phase involves schools connecting to an SRS (Shared Resource Service) data centre in Blaenavon, to increase internet security, by late 2017.

The plan will be funded through a variety of ways: £50,000 will be released through a reduction in the County Farms capital maintenance budget, £80,000 of authority funding will be released from the 21st Century Schools programme, a £250,000 contribution will be taken from the ICT Transformation reserve and the remaining balance of £505,775 will be funded through council borrowing.

Sian Hayward said: "Monmouthshire recognises that the current state of play with ICT is not enhancing the learning and teaching environment.

"Our children are reaching secondary education with different experiences of ICT within their primary school.

"The digital board has recognised that bringing all schools into the non-profit making SRS would enable the current infrastructure to be upgraded and with comprehensive support."

Cabinet will meet today (15th July) to receive the report and are likely to recommend the plans to full council for approval at a later date.