Nearly every pupil in the Highlands will be given a tablet computer under new plans by the north’s local authority.
Highland Council is currently tendering for companies to take on a multimillion-pound contract to provides IT services to council offices and schools.
The current contract, which is held by international firm Fujitsu, comes to an end in September next year.
Under the new contract, the council is seeking to provide every pupil from P6 upwards with a personal tablet device.
At the same time, it will reduce the number of desktop computers in schools.
At present, tablets have been successfully trialled throughout the Highlands.
About 200 senior pupils at Alness Academy used iPad minis, with teachers noticing that students were more engaged and motivated when using the devices.
It is also thought that the council could save money on buying books.
Director of care and learning Bill Alexander said: “The plan involves reducing the number of centrally managed devices by around 50%, and vastly increasing the number of handheld devices that can used by pupils.
“These devices do not have the high support costs that a centrally managed device involves so we anticipate they will be less expensive to provide.
“We envisage that all pupils up to P5 will have enhanced access to these devices, and that this will be on a 1:1 basis from P6.
“The overall procurement business plan involves revenue savings for the council, and the hardware is funded through capital spend, which is calculated over the next ICT five years of contract, and will need to be taken account of in the council’s capital plan.
“Total costs are not available as it is a council-wide programme, not funded by separate budgets in each service, and the ultimate cost will only be determined at the outcome of the procurement exercise.”