Mel Stride MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement that a further £100 million is being invested to provide 300,000 more laptops and tablets to help disadvantaged children and young people learn at home.
Part of the ‘Get Help with Technology’ programme, the additional devices take the total investment in supporting disadvantaged pupils with access to technology during the pandemic to more than £400 million.
Mr Stride said:
“Our teachers here in Central Devon have done a fantastic job managing the difficult task of teaching vulnerable children and the children of key workers at school while also providing online learning for those at home. But this is much more difficult if pupils do not have access to necessary technology. Ensuring our young people continue to receive a good education must be a top priority and this extra investment is very welcome.”
This devices programme, which has been distributing laptops and tablets since May last year, goes hand in hand with the government’s work with the UK’s leading mobile network operators, enabling schools to request free uplifts in data for disadvantaged families. The government’s work to support young people with access to technology sits alongside strengthened minimum standards for remote learning, with schools now expected to offer pupils online lessons and a set number of hours of high-quality remote education for pupils – increased from the government’s previous minimum expectations.