Updated on
Summary
Uruguay has become the first country to provide a laptop for every child attending state primary school. Over the last two years, 362,000 pupils and 18,000 teachers have been involved in the scheme. The project has allowed many families access to the world of computers and the internet for the first time. Uruguay is part of the One Laptop Per Child scheme, an organisation set up by internet pioneer Nicholas Negroponte. His original vision was to provide laptops at $100 but they proved more expensive. The Uruguay programme has cost the state $260 per child, including maintenance costs, equipment repairs, training for the teachers and internet connection.
