20 September 2016

The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said schools across the New England Electorate can now apply for grants from the Coalition Government to deliver digital literacy programs to students in engaging and innovative ways.

Mr Joyce said the 2016 Digital Literacy School Grants program was looking for projects that demonstrated new and innovative methods for teaching students how to use and understand digital technology.

“It is important all children in the New England Electorate community have the skills to use digital technology to ensure they are prepared for the jobs of the future,” Mr Joyce said.

“By encouraging digital literacy from an early age I hope that we can increase the interest amongst our students in subjects like science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and encourage a lifelong engagement in the subjects.”

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said up to $4 million had been allocated to the program as part of the Australian Government’s $50.6 million commitment through the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) to assist Australian teachers and students to embrace the digital age.

“Alongside the Turnbull Government’s new Digital Technologies Hub, the grants are also designed to support teachers to implement the digital technologies parts of the national curriculum by providing guidance and support on digital literacy learning and skills in both primary and secondary schools,” Minister Birmingham said.

“The Turnbull Government is committed to improving the teaching and learning of digital literacy in our schools.”

Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on Friday, 28 October 2016. Further information on the grants is available at: http://education.gov.au/digital-literacy-school-grants-dlsg