Welsh schools finally set to benefit from controversial IT kit

Decision made to deploy laptops and wireless kit to Torfaen and Monmouthshire schools, two years after their procurement

Some £1.8m worth of publicly funded kit is finally being put to use across south Wales schools, almost two years after its procurement.

The equipment, which was the centre of a row between Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Newport councils, is finally set to be put to use across Torfaen and Monmouthshire after what Torfaen claims was Newport's withdrawal from the project.

Children in Key Stages two and three are set to benefit from the equipment following negotiations between the council and the Welsh government.

Last year, ChannelWeb revealed that £1m worth of laptops, which were intended for Newport before they withdraw, were sitting in storage while the decision was being made. The warranties on the machines expired nearly a year ago.

Earlier this month, ChannelWeb uncovered that an additional £800,000 worth of wireless networking equipment was also in storage following the procurement row.

Torfaen's executive member for children and young people, Mary Barnett, said it was "fantastic" that the equipment, which was procured for Newport, will be deployed in Torfaen and Monmouthsire schools.

"[It is a] real bonus for our schools and pupils. The equipment was purchased to improve the education of young people so we are very grateful that the Welsh government has approved that nearly £2m of extra equipment will be put to good use in our schools," she added.

A source close to the councils suggested the Welsh government may have to pay the £1.8m which Newport was originally supposed to pay before it withdrew.

Both the Welsh government and Torfaen's deputy chief executive Peter Durkin refused to comment on the matter, and Newport City Council claims it was never a part of the agreement.

The BBC reported that Torfaen and Monmouthsire will be excluded from a pan-Wales schools broadband initiative because of the "significant grant funding" they had already received in ICT.

The Welsh government, which stumped up the cash for the iLearn Wales digital learning project, said the equipment must be deployed by 31 March following its ongoing negotiations with the councils which have lasted more than a year.

Durkin assured ChannelWeb that all the equipment was in full working order and ready to go, but declined to comment on the timetable of deployment ahead of a council report on Wednesday.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: "We are glad that Torfaen Council and Monmouthshire Council have sought to rectify the issue of the surplus equipment and that the situation has been resolved.

"We are pleased that young people in Torfaen and Monmouthshire schools can finally gain the educational benefit from this equipment."