parents pay for 'free laptops' in queensland

PARENTS in Queensland schools are paying schools for laptop computers promised for free by the Federal Government.

At least 18 state schools are charging parents up to $1000 over four years to take home a laptop under the much-touted National Secondary School Computer Fund, launched during Labor's 2007 election campaign.

Last year Prime Minister Julia Gillard boasted that her government was ensuring all senior secondary students could access a computer at school "without their parents having to put their hand in their pocket".

Her Government is now being accused of misleading parents over the scheme, as state school families are being forced to pay up to $250 extra annually for Year 9 to 12 students to borrow a NSSCF laptop.


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/technology-old/you-pay-for-free-laptops/story-e6frep1o-1226177767730