The Nunavut and federal governments announced a new broadband service which will triple the bandwidth available to all schools in the territory.

The initiative is called the ‘classroom connect’ project. It will mean faster and more reliable internet for students from kindergarten to grade 12.

The bandwidth in schools was just 7.5 megabits per second back in 2004. In May, that number will jump to 21 megabits per second.

Nunavut premier Eva Aariak said she wants students in Nunavut to have access to the same resources which are available to students in southern Canada.

Nunavut member of Parliament Leona Aglukkaq said she hopes students will now be able to take advantage of more study resources, such as distance education.

“We are very proud of this new initiative that will improve communication, as well as facilitate learning among all young people,” said Aglukkaq.

The Government of Nunavut will contribute $1.8 million, and the federal government will pay $2.1 million for the project.

Rick Aucoin, who is a teacher at the Sakku School in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, attended an information and technology workshop at a major teacher’s conference in Iqaluit this week. He said the problem of slow internet has been an issue for both teachers and students.

“It’s been a difficult tool to use. Frustration because of the slow speed in a small community like I’m from,” said Aucoin.

He said it will be a relief “not hearing the whining from the students that it’s so slow anymore.”

Even with the improved broadband, it will only be a fraction of what is available in big city schools.