Coventry education quango Becta closes its doors
A Coventry-based education quango, established in 1997, is to close on Thursday with the loss of 178 jobs.
The closure of British Education Communications Technology Agency (Becta) was announced last May by the government as part of plans to reduce or merge public bodies.
The quango promoted technology in schools and helped families access it.
The agency, based at the University of Warwick Science Park in Coventry, cost £65m per year to run.
Speaking at the time of the closure announcement, Becta chairman Graham Badman, and chief executive, Stephen Crowne, claimed the organisation saved schools and colleges "many more times" the money it cost to run.
A statement on the agency's website confirmed its closure on Thursday and said: "There is a commitment by the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to continue key areas of Becta's work."