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The National Grid for Learning Progress Report Three
Chapter 2: Background
The foundations for the NGfL were laid out in a document published by the (then) Scottish Office Education and Industry Department (SOEID) in August 1998 entitled Implementing the National Grid for Learning in Scotland ( www.scotland.gov.uk/library/documents-w/ngfl-00.htm). This report challenged schools and education authorities to achieve a ratio of pupils to modern computers of 15:1 in primary schools (later changed to 7.5:1) and 5:1 in secondary schools by 2002. A number of other targets were set out in this document ( www.scotland.gov.uk/library/documents-w/ngfl-05.htm) and also in the Programme for Government document, Working Together for Scotland ( www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/government/pfg-00.asp)
Since its inception the programme has improved computer to pupil ratios in schools, helped teachers buy their own computers and provided extensive training opportunities through the New Opportunities Funding (NOF) and other staff development opportunities. It has also supported the development of an extensive range of online services and learning materials for the education community.
The latest key development for the NGfL Scotland is the establishment of the Scottish Schools' Digital Network (the project formerly known as Spark), discussed in detail in Chapter 6: Progress with Infrastructure.
Further background can be found in last year's progress report ( www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/education/nglm-00.asp).
The first progress report published in August 2001 can also be found on the web ( www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/education/nglr-02.asp).
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