The government has struck a deal with 12 firms to supply computer networks to educational institutions across the UK.

Schools Minister Charles Clarke said it meant schools would get an "affordable and reliable service".

Schools would no longer have to make "hand-to-mouth" decisions about buying computer equipment, and would not be locked into contracts with a monopoly supplier for years, he said.

Struggling

The announcement follows a report from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), which expressed serious concern over the teaching of information technology in primary schools in England.

It said many were struggling, and better equipment and more extensive training were needed.

The "one-stop shop" will offer schools a range of computer services

This is particularly worrying, as the government has put emphasis on connecting schools to the National Grid for Learning (NGFL) Internet-based network of online education projects.

The new "one-stop shop" scheme - NGFL managed services - will offer schools a range of services, including Internet access, servicing and technical support, and training, for an initial three-year contract.

Mr Clarke said: "Just over two years ago, there was little infrastructure, no plan to train either serving or new teachers, and no attempt to harness the benefits of new technology for teaching. All that has since changed.

"The managed services will help schools avoid a spiral of unanticipated maintenance costs and offer up-grading as technology develops.

Quality tests

"They will offer a standardised contract and spread the balance of risk more fairly between the school and the supplier."

Suppliers would be subject to "MOT" tests each years to maintain quality, he said.

Nearly 120 companies had expressed interest in being part of the scheme, and the onus was on those which had not been chosen to "meet the quality criteria and lower their prices".

"We will not tolerate learning institutions being charged excessive prices or having to settle for second best."

Mr Clarke said the government was investing more than £1.6bn on computers in education up to 2002, including £250m on training teachers and librarians.

About 90% of secondary schools, and more than half of primary schools and special schools were now connected to the Internet.