FIVE 'Future Schools' will get the support of some of the biggest technology companies to harness IT and other applications in their lessons.

The companies include big names like SingTel, Hewlett Packard, ST Electronics and Civica - a software and consulting company.

Together with the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and the National Research Foundation, they will pump in $80 million over four years to the Education Ministry's Future Schools programme.

The four companies, announced by the IDA on Tuesday, will lead other firms in spearheading the use of technology in Beacon Primary School, Canberra Primary School, Crescent Girls' School, Hwa Chong Institution and Jurong Secondary School.

The sixth - School of Science and Technology - will join the programme when it opens in 2010.

The programme, which will be extended to 15 schools, was announced in December 2006.

They will set a new benchmark in experiential learning and introduce ground-breaking methods for teaching and assessment.

Rear-Admiral (NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of IDA said: 'IDA's collaboration with MOE and industry brings together partners to harness infocomm innovatively and effectively for engaged learning, and to keep our education system relevant in preparing students for the future.

'This builds on IDA's iN2015 Masterplan's efforts for the Education and Learning sector to use infocomm to develop potential schools into peaks of excellence and spearhead the transformation of the education sector.

'The industry brings its expertise and experience to develop next generation solutions that will further enhance learning and teaching in schools.'