By next year, students in the nation's public schools are supposed to have a computer or tablet at their disposal. But according to a survey of 79 councils conducted by Jyllands-Posten, 94 percent of the councils have not yet reached the goal and many do not think they will.

 

The plan to digitalise public school education was announced by the previous Venstre-Konservative government in August 2011 in an effort to improve students' competency and better prepare them for the future. 

 

But as things stand now, many schools look unlikely to meet the goal.

 

"I want to believe that we will make it, but realistically I have my doubts," Bent Borup, a school IT-consultant for Slagelse Council, told Jyllands-Posten. 

 

It is up to the councils to decide if they will invest in communal computers for students or rely on students bringing their own computers. If it is the latter, the councils must only provide computers or tablets to those students who do not have their own. According to Jyllands-Posten's survey, two thirds of the councils asked plan to have students bring their own equipment. They cannot, however, require that students come to class with their own computers. 

 

"It will be the norm that teachers expect students to have their own computers for learning, but many teachers feel that it's wrong, because it should be free to go to public schools," Borup said. 

 

According to the education minister, Christine Antorini (Socialdemokraterne), it will take a concerted effort on the part of councils to make the stated goal. 

 

"There is no doubt that if it is to succeed, digitalisation of public schools must be given a high priority. It is a national strategy that must accomplished."