100,000 more laptops for schools – but access is reduced
100,000 more laptops for schools – but access is reduced
The government has used an allocation for school laptops on how many disadvantaged pupils the school between years 3 to 11 changed to gross lower amount.
There has been 100,000 lap tops delivered so far this term. However the original promise has been slashed. Meaning only 20 percent of the original allocation will be delivered.
the DOE told the schools that after the half term the new allocation '“ more effectively targeted to the children, schools and areas of the country that have greatest need”. This is not including any EHCP for individual pupils.
The result being around 120 computers initially promised to school with the blend of disadvantaged pupils. Now cut by 100. Only receiving 20.
The Exam House knows that these computers would provide a training for the real world. Where as fast amount of day to day work activity is computer based. Taking this and not pushing for computer based exams shows how backward our exam system is. Quality low cost learning material now is the norm. Delivered through the laptops. Organisations like Edplace learning are producing higher quality content that schools can.
Access to the computers is not just around dis advantaged pupils. It has to have at least 15 pupils who are self isolating because of Covid 19.
The new system, the schools that are ‘fully closed’ will get support from the schools commissioners. To make sure those disadvantaged children get the laptops quickly.
if the schools are not closed but have a ‘strong need’ can request for more laptop access.
The announcement brings the government’s investment in laptops for schools to nearly £200 million.
The duty is enforceable by an injunction, but the DfE said such action would be a “last resort”.
Nick Brook, deputy general secretary at the NAHT school leaders’ union, said on Saturday: “The government has been quick to mandate what it expects schools to be able to do when it comes to remote learning, but is clearly unable to deliver the necessary tools that schools and their pupils need.
“It beggars belief that within 24 hours of making immediate access to remote learning a legal requirement, the government has announced that it is reducing the number of laptops schools are eligible to receive.”
