THE Ministry of Education is fully supportive of the use of iPads by senior students of Queen Victoria School.
The endorsement follows an announcement by former scholars and the parents and teachers association of plans to equip students with the devices.
And if all goes well, QVS just might be the first school in the country to use iPads in classrooms to boost academic performance.
"We have schools in the country that are using computers and laptops for studies but iPads might be the first in Fiji and we really appreciate the idea as it will really help a lot in the education system," Education permanent secretary Doctor Brij Lal said.
Queen Victoria School Old Boys Association national president Anasa Vocea said they were working with the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association in consulting iPad providers for their bulk purchase.
Mr Vocea said students who could afford to buy iPads would own them.
However, if the cost was shared equally between students and the school, it would then become school property.
"An assessment made by the school showed that teachers spend at least 80 per cent of their time writing on the blackboard and only 20 per cent is dedicated to teaching students," Mr Vocea said.
"The first phase of our project will see teachers having laptops which are programmed with all the relevant subjects. Arrangements have been made with a local company for the purchase of such items."
Mr Vocea said teachers would use laptops, adding that classrooms would also have projectors which would screen materials on the walls.
Mr Vocea said the bilateral project by the QVSOB and the PTFA followed the $120,000 extension to the school's computer lab which was expected to be officially opened at the end of this month.