Internet could link remote places to NZ education system

Prime Minister Helen Clark has raised the possibility of remote places like the Tokelau Islands being connected with New Zealand's education system through the internet.

Miss Clark went live today on the Government's new Project Probe, which provides high speed internet access for all schools and their communities at the same price they would pay if they were in towns or cities.

"We shouldn't confine our vision to thinking about how we will link with students in our own country or in our own region," she said.

"There is no reason why we couldn't be thinking internationally... anything is possible."

Miss Clark visited Tokelau last month, and said what she saw of its educational facilities "would have made a tear roll down the face of every teacher listening today".

"As the cost of communications reduce, why shouldn't Tokelau's school children be linking with our students through the internet to get the very best educational opportunities?

"Just as this technology will help rural schools retain their students, so too remote places elsewhere like Tokelau could benefit."

- NZPA