Libya may become the first country to provide every school-age child with a laptop computer and Internet connection, through a scheme supported by the UN Development Programme.

The government of Libya is reported to have agreed a £134m deal with an American non-profit group, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) to provide 1.2m school children with an affordable durable laptop computer by June 2008.

OLPC aims to provide laptops for children in developing countries that cost $100 (£54). The laptops are all equipped with Internet access and are powered by a wind-up crank and can be used as an conventional computer or an electronic book.

The laptops have been specially designed for durability with a rugged case and sealed rubber keyboard to keep out dust and water as well as a power cable that acts as a carrying strap.

The designers have also replaced the conventional hard disc with a flash drive, and have dispensed with a cooling fan to reduced the major problems that laptops suffer from.

Computer Scientist Nicholas Negroponte, chairman of OLPC, told the BBC: “The idea is that it fulfils many roles. It is the whole theory that learning is seamless”.

To keep costs down, the computers will rely on free software such as Linux instead of Microsoft Windows.

The company stated: “The power supply is tolerant of almost any voltage you might have at hand for charging, either from a human powered generator or a car or truck battery … under typical use, the computer should last the entire school day without requiring charging.

“Our goal is to provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment, and express themselves.

“Laptops are both a window and a tool: a window into the world and a tool with which to think.”

The Guardian reported that the company have also reached tentative purchase agreements with Argentina, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand.