Every pupil starting at a new Tayside school in August will be given a free Apple iPad.
Tens of thousands of pounds will be spent investing in the technology for pupils at the Bertha Park school at Perth.
The equipment is being paid for from the devolved school management budget, which goes to every head teacher for them to spend as he or she sees fit.
The move is part of a university study which will examine how technology can enhance pupil learning.
Families were informed of the move in the school’s summer e-bulletin, which stated: “You will be aware that all of our pupils will receive their very own Apple iPad when they start.
“During the summer holidays you will receive further information about how these will be managed and what the pupil and parental expectations are for their use.”
No overall cost has been put on the project, but the new school has capacity for around 1,100 pupils and an Apple 9.7in iPad with 32GB retails for around £300 in high street electrical stores.
There will be no cost to parents for the purchase of the devices, but they will be asked to pay a “modest fee” for insuring them – reckoned to be about £1 a month. Payment details are expected to be confirmed in August.
Pupils will be entitled to take the iPads home with them at the end of the school day, but Perth and Kinross Council will be in control of what apps are installed.
During class time, teachers will be in charge of when iPads can be used.
Homework will be issued and completed on the devices.
However, pupils have been warned in advance that mobile phones must be locked away throughout the school day.
Perth and Kinross Council said the scheme was part of a study being carried out by the University of Highlands and Islands.
A spokesperson said: “The use of iPads at Bertha Park High School is part of a two year study into the use of one-to-one devices to support learning and teaching.
“A research study is being carried out by the University of the Highlands and Islands which will help the council to evaluate the effectiveness and potential future benefits of this approach.
“Only Bertha Park High School is part of the longitudinal survey research. This is a well-planned approach to understanding the impact on learning of using such devices, and we are pleased to be working in partnership with UHI for this research.”
The £32.5 million all-through school will open after the summer holidays, with a catchment area extending beyond the 3,000 homes currently being built at the adjacent £1 billion Bertha Park construction project.
The secondary half of the building will also be attended by pupils moving up from Auchtergaven, Methven, Pitcairn, Forgandenny, Logiealmond, Dunbarney, Ruthvenfield and Oudenarde primaries.
