Investment, Industry and IT Minister Austin Gatt yesterday announced a scheme for Maltese students and teachers, by which they can purchase office applications software for a once-only payment of two euros. Disabled persons may also apply.

The scheme offers StarOffice 8 Sun Microsystems software, which includes StarWriter (word-processor), StarCalc (spreadsheet), StarImpress (digital presentation), StarDraw (for painting) and StarBase (database).

Students, teachers and disabled persons may register for the software by downloading the application forms from www.thesmartisland. gov.mt. These will be accepted until 11 April.

The initiative is part of The Smart Island national strategy, complementing other initiatives which introduced cheap use of technology for those who could not afford it. Under Blueskies thousands are paying three euros a month for broadband connection and a scheme will soon be announced that will enable all to acquire a new computer for less than one euro a day.