An agreement which gives all learners at Welsh state schools free
access to Microsoft 365 at school and at home is to continue,
following a new licensing deal.
As a new term starts the renewed agreement ensures Wales remains
at the forefront of digital education. Accessed through
Hwb, Wales' innovative digital learning platform, learners
and teachers can download Microsoft 365 services at home, for
free.
Wales' was one of the first countries in the world to provide
this initiative and since its introduction in 2019, over 1,450
schools have benefited and over 122,000 families, saving them
£84.99 for a personal Microsoft 365 licence. Alongside access to
software over 320,500 devices, including laptops have been funded
via the Hwb programme.
Cabinet Secretary for Education, , said:
“We were one of the first countries to invest in this way to
support access to Microsoft 365 and building on this work, we are
once again able to fully fund access for schools.
“This year we have invested £12 million in schools' digital
provision, and are fully committed to enhancing schools' digital
environments, with £167 million invested since 2019. This
includes providing devices for learners and practitioners to
ensure equity of access to digital technology.
“Having one agreement funded by Welsh Government demonstrates the
commitment to digital equity and inclusion for our learners and
help to ease the financial pressure on schools, enabling them to
maximise the benefits of digital technology in education.
“Many learners already benefit from this agreement, but I want to
raise awareness that these digital services are freely available
for learners and teachers to use at home.”
