The Ministry of Education and Training, in co-operation with information-technology suppliers, on August 6 announced the start of a national programme to supply one million computers at favourable prices to Vietnamese schools by 2011.

The first stage of the programme, which runs until September 30, aims to use information technology as a tool for study at every educational level.

Speaking at a ceremony to launch the scheme, the head of the ministry’s Department of Information and Technology, Quach Tuan Ngoc, said he believed the programme would create firm grounding for Vietnam in the world’s intellectual environment.

Computer suppliers, including Intel Semi-conductor, Microsoft Vietnam and Acer Vietnam, said they would supply the computers at favourable prices. The computers would be connected to broadband and have educational software.

Acer Vietnam Company, in cooperation with the Intel Semiconductor Co. Ltd, will sell desktop computers for 2.9 million VND (161 USD), roughly half the normal asking price./.