Network for Learning (N4L) is beginning a four-year wireless upgrade programme for schools.

Minister of Education Chris Hipkins has announced classroom internet throughout hundreds of schools will get a boost via a new support programme, Te Mana Tūhono, (the Power of Connectivity).

From this month, N4L will begin replacing more than 12,000 switches and 38,000 wireless access points across the country’s 2450-plus schools, and providing support along the way via its helpdesk. 

“We’ve designed Te Mana Tūhono with the vision of removing the burden on schools to monitor, maintain and manage the internet inside their classrooms. We’re excited to partner with N4L in delivering this long-term programme of support to schools over the next few years.” said Kim Shannon, Head of Education Infrastructure Services.  

200 by end of June

Around 200 schools will get their equipment replaced before the end of June 2020. These will be schools with limited access to IT support, and with aging network hardware that is coming out of extended warranty. The remaining schools will be upgraded over the following four years.

As with N4L’s previous roll-outs, the company will appoint a panel of local IT support companies to assist with the replacement of network switches and wireless access points, partnering with highly-skilled technology companies which have a proven track-record of working successfully with schools.

If a school’s wireless internet equipment fails before it is scheduled to be upgraded, then N4L will fix or replace it, as part of an extended warranty support programme that’s been in place since 2018.

More about Te Mana Tūhono at education.govt.nz/school/digital-technology/your-schools-ict-network/te-mana-tuhono/

And read the Minister’s full announcement at beehive.govt.nz/release/classroom-internet-hundreds-schools-get-boost