Section 296: Schools programmes on Channel 4
636.OFCOM are to include in the Channel 4 licence any conditions necessary to ensure that Channel 4 broadcasts a sufficient proportion of schools programmes. This may be achieved by setting a minimum number of hours (in term time or within normal school hours) that must be dedicated to schools programming. The Corporation may also be required to finance the production of schools programmes, to acquire such programmes from others and/or to produce any materials that may be necessary to ensure the effective use of such programmes. The programming should be of a high standard and, in producing their schools programmes, the Corporation should consult such persons concerned with schools or schools programmes as OFCOM direct. OFCOM must consult the Corporation before imposing any conditions under this section.
*schools programmes are defined in subsection (12) as programmes which are intended for use in schools.
637.Subsection (11) provides that the requirement in section 34 of the Broadcasting Act 1990, that a suitable proportion of the programmes which are included in Channel 3 services and Channel 4 and 5 (taken as a whole) are schools programmes, shall no longer apply.
