Mel Stride MP has welcomed £3million of Government funding for a trial programme to provide more than 100 of England’s rural schools with high-speed broadband connections. Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School was one of two schools within Mel's constituency that was chosen.
The trial is part of the Government’s commitment to provide 100% per cent of the UK with affordable, fast and reliable broadband by 2020. As well as making a dramatic difference for the students, the schools will be used as broadband hubs so that nearby homes and businesses will also benefit.
Mel said:
“I have campaigned for many years to bring better broadband speeds to Central Devon and I am very pleased that Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School has been chosen to take part in this trial programme. Teachers and staff will benefit from quicker speeds when it comes to online data entry or contributing to online journals and pupils will benefit from faster access to online training and educational learning. There have been huge improvements in terms of access to superfast broadband within our constituency during the nine years I have been an MP with dozens of communities benefiting from better speeds. But there is still more to do and I will keep pushing to make sure every business, school and home has access.”
Last month Mel was in Okehampton breaking ground for a new AirBand mast at the Business Centre which will improve speeds for nearby businesses and homes.
