MGM Wireless has signed a $960,000 contract with the Western Australia Department of Education and Training to supply its messageyou software suite to the state's schools.

The whole-of-state agreement more than doubles the Adelaide-based company's customer base for its SMS text communication and student attendance record-keeping suite.

Under the agreement, which begins in November, 2007, MGM is preferred supplier for more than 800 WA schools, with rollouts to 400 schools anticipated in the first round of implementations.

MGM Wireless executive chairman, Mark Fortunatow, said that the model adopted by the department will streamline and modernise student attendance management, address student safety issues and enable the implementation of a broadcast text messaging service for emergency communication.

"WA educators can now keep parents fully informed about their children's welfare and safety," he added. Announcing the contract, WA Education and Training Minister, Mark McGowan, said it is part of the government's push to get parents more involved in their children's education.

"Western Australia has one of the highest rates of mobile phone ownership in the world and it makes sense to put this technology to good use, improving communication between parents and schools," he said.

"This new technology will inform parents when their children are absent from school, but it will also allow schools to inform parents of school projects, important events in individual classrooms, parent-teacher nights and tips on how to help with their child's education.

"Getting parents involved in their children's education is one of the most important things we can do to improve a student's performance.

"I expect around 400 schools, half the state's public schools, will welcome this new technology and sign up for implementation in 2008," McGowan said although the final decision is made at the local level.

MGM Wireless Ltd is a ASX-listed company providing software to schools in Australia, New Zealand, North America and India.