The ACT Labor government will spend $2.5 million on helping non-government schools install high-speed broadband infrastructure if it is returned to power after the October election.
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Chief Minister Katy Gallagher will make the promise, which would mainly benefit less-affluent Catholic schools, when she addresses delegates at the ACT Labor Party's annual branch conference today.
Ms Gallagher is also expected to use the conference to make further announcements on plans to turn Canberra into Australia's first ''digital city'' and on healthcare.
Ms Gallagher said the government had already spent $28 million on information technology and fibre-optic upgrades under the Smart School, Smart Student program and all public schools were connected to high-speed broadband and able to access wireless networks.
''The ACT Labor government is investing in better schools and teachers to strengthen education for all Canberrans,'' Ms Gallagher said.
''With the discontinuation of future funding for non-government schools under the Commonwealth Digital Education Revolution, a number of these schools are finding it increasingly hard to keep pace with the growing demand for online learning among students.
''The ACT government wants to ensure that these schools and their students have the opportunity to make use of available fibre-optic and fast broadband infrastructure.''
The grants program would fund or subsidise the installation of fast broadband infrastructure in non-government schools.
The scheme will be administered by the Education and Training Directorate. Schools would need to demonstrate a need for enhanced internet connectivity.
The program would take into account existing communications infrastructure in the school, the school's capacity to finance and maintain infrastructure, and the introduction of the National Broadband Network.
Ms Gallagher will use the conference to rally Labor's rank-and-file before the October 24 ACT election.
She will reflect on her first 12 months as chief minister and Labor's achievements, including having the ACT included as a trial site for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
All three of the political parties in the ACT Legislative Assembly rolled out election policies this week.
The Liberals promised $250,000 for an infrastructure audit of government schools while the Greens spruiked a $100,000 trial of Wi-Fi internet on some bus routes and at bus interchanges and town centres.
The Opposition this week warned that the Greens leader, Meredith Hunter, could be appointed education minister in a future Labor government.
But Labor and the Greens denied Ms Gallagher had promised Ms Hunter the job.
Labor has been in government in the ACT since 2001.
