| FRANCE | Networked World | ||
 |
| Country Overview | Network Access | Network Learning | Network Society | Network Economy | Network Policy | Offshore Opportunity | Analysis of Readiness |
Network LearningSchools’ Access
to ICTs
Enhancing Education with ICTs
Developing the ICT workforce
In 1981 the ministry of industry carried out a program of introducing computers in secondary schools and teaching information science to students. This was considered to be a starting point for the government to integrate schools at all levels to be a part of the Networked World. Between 1997 and 2001, the number of pupils per computer went from 12 to 6 at the high school level, from 26 to 14 at the intermediate-school level and from 100 to 23 at the primary-school level.
By 2001 all high schools and intermediate schools had Internet connections, and 62% of primary schools had connections. According to a survey, 17% of the French population older than the age 11 used the Internet in January 2002. This was a 40% increase compared to 2001. About 21% of households had Internet access at end-2001, and 35% of households had a computer. Millions are allocated by the government for IT training, public internet access and R&D projects. Internet use is also highly promoted in French schools which currently have close to Europe's highest penetration rates. Areas served by terrestrial communication networks are reached with satellite systems, which offer an alternative to the Internet allowing remote education, teamwork and forums.
In 1998, convinced that software was vital to the creation of wealth in a knowledge-based society, the government set up the National Software Technologies Network (RNTL) to support the creation and development of companies in France. France’s software market plays a major role in their economy. It generates a substantial amount of business for more than 30,000 companies with a ratio of at least 10,000 employees per company. This indicates France is competitive in the software development arena.
Currently 96% of small and medium enterprises use PC’s; 82% are connected to the Internet and 40% had websites at the beginning of 2002. A study conducted in 2001 showed that only 82% of French businesses had an Internet connection. Although France was only in the 80th percentile for Internet connection, according to a BNP Lease Survey Plan, a 9% growth in one year in the number of businesses connected to the Internet was faster than in Germany, Italy, or Spain.