EDUCATION bosses are taking their i-Pad plans for transforming classrooms on the road.

Scottish Borders Council unveiled its controversial Inspire Learning programme earlier this year.

Despite widespread condemnation of the proposals to plough cash into providing i-Pads for every secondary pupil in the region, as well as shared devices for primary schoolchildren, senior officials are moving the scheme forward.

And throughout June they will provide further details of how the £16 million transformation programme will work at Area Partnership meetings.

There will also be afternoon meetings with members of parent councils.

Education councillor Carol Hamilton told us: “We have recognised that it is difficult for people to understand the benefits of Inspire Learning without actually seeing it and speaking to key officers about it.

“We have therefore decided to hold these events at Area Partnerships in order to give all parents, carers and any other interested parties the chance to come along to find out more about the programme.

“Anyone can come along and we are really urging as many people as possible to attend.”

Venues for the meetings have yet to be confirmed but each of the five will start at 6pm.

The Cheviot meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 5, Berwickshire on Thursday, June 6, and the Teviot and Liddesdale meeting is being held on Tuesday, June 11.

The Tweeddale meeting will take place the following day on Wednesday, June 12.

And concluding the roadshow will be Eildon on Thursday, June 27.

Deputy leader Sandy Aitchison added: “Local Area Partnership meetings are a fundamental part of community engagement and encourage participation in local matters.

“In terms of Inspire Learning, the council has done its utmost to provide information about what Inspire Learning is about - but it’s not been easy without being able to have that face-to-face engagement.

“That’s where we hope these sessions can help.

"Going forward, we hope this will encourage more participation and interest in Area Partnership meetings into the future.”

The Inspire Learning programme has been developed by a partnership between Scottish Borders Council, CGI, XMA and Apple.