❓ This parliamentary question concerns the E-Learning Pilbara project, its impact on internet bandwidth and reliability in Pilbara schools, and whether a similar initiative is planned for Kimberley schools. The answer details the schools involved, bandwidth improvements, and explains why the Kimberley doesn't have a similar project due to funding.
AnsweredQoN 2089Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the E-Learning Pilbara project, and I ask: (a) which Pilbara schools now have access to the Connect online learning resource; (b) how has this project improved the bandwith capacity and service reliability of internet services to public schools in the Pilbara; (c) what is the current average bandwith capacity and service reliability of internet services to public schools across the Pilbara; (d) what is the current average bandwith capacity and service reliability of internet services to public schools across the Kimberley; (e) are the any plans to bring the same E-Learning opportunity to schools in the Kimberley; and (f) if no to (e), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2014
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
40 days
a) The following 31 Pilbara schools have access to Connect:
Baler Primary School
Baynton West Primary School
Cassia Education Support Centre
Cassia Primary School
Dampier Camp School
Dampier Primary School
Hedland Senior High School
Jigalong Remote Community School
Karratha Primary School
Karratha Senior High School
Marble Bar Primary School
Millars Well Primary School
Newman Primary School
Newman Senior High School
North Tom Price Primary School
Nullagine Primary School
Onslow Primary School
Pannawonica Primary School
Paraburdoo Primary School
Pegs Creek Primary School
Pilbara Secondary Behaviour Centre
Port Hedland Primary School
Port Hedland School of the Air
Roebourne District High School
South Hedland Primary School
South Newman Primary School
Tambrey Primary School
Tom Price Primary School
Tom Price Senior High School
Wickham Primary School
Yandeyarra Remote Community School
b) The Department of Education has 29 broadband (bandwidth) services in the Pilbara. Prior to the E-Learning Pilbara project, 19 sites had 10 megabit per second (Mb/s) fibre optic services, seven sites had 2Mb/s copper services and two had low bandwidth satellite services. Since the implementation of the E-Learning project, 27 of the 29 sites now have fibre optic service, with the four senior high schools being upgraded to 20Mb/s and all primary schools now at 10Mb/s. The remaining sites are Jigalong Remote Community School, which is using a new wireless broadband solution delivering up to 4Mb/s, Dampier Camp School, which remains at 2Mb/s, and Yandeyarra Remote Community School, which is on a 2Mb/s satellite solution.
c) The average bandwidth capacity for the Pilbara is 10.8Mb/s, representing a 30% improvement. In terms of reliability, bandwidth management technologies that improve performance and allow targeting or prioritising network traffic have been implemented in the Pilbara. Reliability is 98%.
d) The average bandwidth capacity for the Kimberley is 5.7 Mb/s. The reliability is 98%.
e) Not currently.
f) The Pilbara E-Learning Project was funded through the Royalties for Regions Pilbara Cities Strategic Infrastructure Pilbara Education Partnership Fund. A similar project for other regional schools, including those in the Kimberley may be considered as part of future budget processes. To date, there has not been a similar project developed and approved for funding schools in the Kimberley.
Baler Primary School
Baynton West Primary School
Cassia Education Support Centre
Cassia Primary School
Dampier Camp School
Dampier Primary School
Hedland Senior High School
Jigalong Remote Community School
Karratha Primary School
Karratha Senior High School
Marble Bar Primary School
Millars Well Primary School
Newman Primary School
Newman Senior High School
North Tom Price Primary School
Nullagine Primary School
Onslow Primary School
Pannawonica Primary School
Paraburdoo Primary School
Pegs Creek Primary School
Pilbara Secondary Behaviour Centre
Port Hedland Primary School
Port Hedland School of the Air
Roebourne District High School
South Hedland Primary School
South Newman Primary School
Tambrey Primary School
Tom Price Primary School
Tom Price Senior High School
Wickham Primary School
Yandeyarra Remote Community School
b) The Department of Education has 29 broadband (bandwidth) services in the Pilbara. Prior to the E-Learning Pilbara project, 19 sites had 10 megabit per second (Mb/s) fibre optic services, seven sites had 2Mb/s copper services and two had low bandwidth satellite services. Since the implementation of the E-Learning project, 27 of the 29 sites now have fibre optic service, with the four senior high schools being upgraded to 20Mb/s and all primary schools now at 10Mb/s. The remaining sites are Jigalong Remote Community School, which is using a new wireless broadband solution delivering up to 4Mb/s, Dampier Camp School, which remains at 2Mb/s, and Yandeyarra Remote Community School, which is on a 2Mb/s satellite solution.
c) The average bandwidth capacity for the Pilbara is 10.8Mb/s, representing a 30% improvement. In terms of reliability, bandwidth management technologies that improve performance and allow targeting or prioritising network traffic have been implemented in the Pilbara. Reliability is 98%.
d) The average bandwidth capacity for the Kimberley is 5.7 Mb/s. The reliability is 98%.
e) Not currently.
f) The Pilbara E-Learning Project was funded through the Royalties for Regions Pilbara Cities Strategic Infrastructure Pilbara Education Partnership Fund. A similar project for other regional schools, including those in the Kimberley may be considered as part of future budget processes. To date, there has not been a similar project developed and approved for funding schools in the Kimberley.
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