Schools encouraged to register interest in tablets

Schools are being encouraged to register their initial interest in buying tablet devices to facilitate price reductions through ‘collective buying power’.

The Department for Education (DfE) has said that collective buying power allows a group to negotiate better discounts, after a pilot saved schools around 12 per cent on the price.

The procurement will be completed by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) and will include Apple iPads, Microsoft Surface Pros and LearnPads, as well as associated items such as security marking, covers and charging stations.

Schools will needs to register their interest by 6 May 2016, and a total order of 500 devices or more is needed for the procurement to go ahead. If enough schools register interest, the delivery and payment for the devices should be completed by August/September 2016.

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