LONDON, October 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- The First Public Private Partnership Signed by the Department of Children, Schools and Families

- With Photo

Microsoft today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), to better connect parents with their children's education, use technology to re-engage disengaged students and improve teaching standards and career development through innovative teachers and coaching programmes. This is the first Public Private Partnership signed by the DCSF.

The MOU is part of the Microsoft Partners in Learning programme (PiL), which in the United Kingdom aims to help the government achieve the objectives of the Children's Plan and improve the education of primary and secondary students across England. In the United Kingdom, Microsoft has worked with governments and government's agencies in England Scotland and Wales on Partners in Learning programmes that have reached over 150,000 teachers and over two million students in the past three years.

Today's agreement means that Microsoft will work with the DCSF and an advisory council, which will include representatives from all schools-focused government agencies and other partners, to direct the work of the Partners in Learning programme (PiL).

Ed Balls, MP, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families commented:

Digital technology is changing how we live our lives and is now a vital part of every child getting the most out of their studies and preparing for the world of work.

By 2011, the Government will have invested GBP6billion in ICT meaning we have the highest levels of embedded technology in classrooms in the European Union, one computer for every three pupils, and over 97% of schools have got a broadband connection.

But there is more to do. Today's agreement will help us towards our plans to close the digital divide forever, and ensure that every school is making the most out of the best technology available and every teacher and student can get the most out of it.

Jean-Philippe Courtois, President, Microsoft International, said:

Microsoft's vision for Partners in Learning in the United Kingdom is to enable learners to become confident, successful contributors to a 21st century society, and we are delighted to be formalising this commitment today with the DCSF.

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Emma Turner +44(0)20-3047-2202, emma.turner@edelman.com