It suggests that although 43% of UK schools might have computers connected to the Internet, only a third of that number currently provide Internet access to pupils.

The government aims to connect all schools to the Internet by the year 2002 through its National Grid for Learning programme.

The research was commissioned by Microsoft and carried out by the British Educational Suppliers Association. The results are based on responses received from 777 primary schools and 618 secondary schools.

The survey also found that most schools regard incorporating IT skills into the curriculum as important, with particular emphasis placed on teaching pupils how to use computers, the Internet and e-mail.

Nearly 60% of the primary schools and 54% of the secondary schools say that curriculum-based software products are a key spending priority.

And 94% of the primary schools and 91% of the secondary schools are planning to improve the information technology skills of their non-IT staff.

Millennium Bug

The pupil to computer ratio in the primary schools is 16.3 to 1, while in the secondary schools it is 8.7 to 1.

Although most schools are fully aware of potential "Millennium Bug" problems, 54% of the primary schools and 46% of the secondary schools have no funds available to identify or deal with any difficulties that may arise.

The Chief Executive of the British Educational Suppliers Association, Dominic Savage, said: "It is clear from our research that schools require support from both the government and commercial vendors to reach the goals outlined for the National Grid for Learning."