Economics minister calls for Internet access for all schools

The economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, would like to see all children able to access the Internet at school Keystone

Switzerland's economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, has used the Christmas season, which is a traditional time of giving, to reiterate his call for all Swiss schools to be connected to the Internet.

In an interview with the French-speaking “Le Matin” newspaper, Couchepin restated the government’s goal of wiring all schools to the world wide web and outlined measures that have been taken so far to achieve this.

“There will be a partnership between the cantons, heads of primary schools and the government. The Swiss authorities will contribute to training teachers and companies,” Couchepin said.

The telecommunications giant, Swisscom, and other private companies have expressed interest in the project, he said.

Not all the elements of the project have fallen into place, Couchepin added.

swissinfo with agencies