Argyll and Bute Council’s policy and resources committee has agreed on the major investment as part of its Education Network Transformation Programme in order to upgrade the region’s education ICT network infrastructure, which according to the council is ‘no longer suitable to support the future delivery of the education digital learning vision’.

The council’s digital transformation plan includes key investments to support hybrid learning models, enabling both in-school and at-home education. The network upgrades will also tackle emerging cyber security challenges by implementing “zero trust” network security technology.

Plans are also being put in place to integrate emerging technologies, such as AI, augmented reality, virtual reality, and gamification into the curriculum. It’s hoped that by crafting a network that can easily adapt to the evolving digital landscape, learners can develop a wider skill set and boost their employability.

In its National Improvement Framework, the Scottish Government sets out its aim to build on the digital and virtual learning methods which were quickly put together in the face of school closures during the pandemic, with Argyll and Bute Council stating that this major shift towards digital learning resources has made network investment a priority.

However, the council claims that the current lack of national digital infrastructure and high cost of connection, alongside a shortage of specialist teaching staff in rural and island locations, makes the move to digital learning more difficult. 

In order to move forward, the council wants more investment in bandwidth expansion to fibre, and plans to consider alternative connection technologies such as satellite broadband and 4G mobile broadband.

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Councillor Audrey Forrest, policy lead for education said: “We are committed to securing the best outcomes for our young people. With significant investment over the next five years, we can create a digitally inclusive educational environment where new and emerging technology is part of everyday learning in our schools. 

“The introduction of a more flexible education network will deliver improved security, equity and flexibility to broaden the available curriculum offerings across all schools.”

Over the course of this year, the Scottish Government has continued to roll out fibre broadband across the country, aiming to cover as many homes and premises as possible through its Reaching 100% programme. 

In May, Openreach announced that another 120,000 homes and businesses in Scotland would see their broadband upgraded to full fibre, as  part of a £15 billion project to upgrade the UK’s broadband infrastructure that will provide rural and remote communities, such as those in Argyll and Bute, with a fast and stable connection.