Learning and Technology Minister Michael Wills has announced a new study to analyse the opportunities for future development and financing of the National Grid for Learning (NGfL).

The study will look at the full range of options available for future progress taking into account the way schools and educational institutions currently access the internet.

Mr Wills, who is also MP for North Swindon, said technology in schools was changing all the time.

"When we started the national drive to get all our schools connected to the internet three years ago, very little had been done to prepare our schools, teachers or pupils for new technologies.

"In the last three years we have achieved a tremendous amount. Today 98 per cent of all secondary schools and 86 per cent of all primary schools are currently on line.

"That is a total of 20,200 schools connected to the internet compared to around 6,500 in 1998.

"Last year alone 4,400 more primary schools went on line and this year, nine out of ten special schools have internet access.

"The Prime Minister recently announced a further £1 billion investment that will step up the drive to use new technology to raise standards in schools.

"However we must renew and re-invigorate the National Grid so that it moves with the times."