A push is being made to improve broadband connectivity for “second-class” rural Angus school pupils.
On the back of long-held concerns that youngsters in areas such as the Angus glens are being left behind in the technology race, experts are being brought in to try and find a way round the topographical barriers which stand in the way of high-speed connectivity in country areas.
Angus councillors have been told that funding is in place for the link project to be pursued this year, but more money may still have to be found to carry the programme over into 2016.
Councillors have been told that some 16 Angus primaries still do not have the level of broadband connectivity which the authority would like to see in the classroom.
An official progress report on the emerging technologies situation stated: “We have commissioned a third-party contractor to undertake site surveys at a number of rural non-broadband schools to establish if ‘near line of sight’ broadband radio connections can be established.”
The technology being used is a recent development and the council said it is keen to gauge whether it might offer greater connectivity for rural primaries.
Kirriemuir and the Glens councillor Ronnie Proctor said: “I’m pleased to see this focus on emerging technologies.
“This is something which members who have rural communities in their area have close to their heart.
“Parents of children who attend these rural schools feel very strongly about this issue.
“We don’t want to have any second-class pupils in terms of connectivity so I hope we can see progress on this as soon as possible.”