Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott has called on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to release $3 million for the One Laptop per Child program to further aid disadvantaged communities in Australia.

Long Flat Public School, west of Port Macquarie, is one of three primary schools in the state that have been trialing the program since last year.

Principal Paul Mason said the 35 pupils had benefited from having access to their own laptops at school.

“We’ve got to a stage in society where one or two computers in a classroom doesn’t cut it,” Mr Mason said.

“We use computers on a daily basis so it makes sense to teach with them.”

The program provides laptop computers to more than 6000 disadvantaged children and provides more than 240 teachers with the required professional development to creatively use the laptops in classrooms.

“The application has been with the government for some time now, and while I understand the government is supportive, I am concerned about the delay in announcing and releasing the funding,” Mr Oakeshott said.

“The One Laptop per Child program is delivering for children in disadvantaged communities on the Mid-North Coast, and in other regional and rural communities.

“It is the style of program that meets the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals of engaging the private sector in technology benefits for education, and it is already leading to real and practical results in disadvantaged communities.”