The UK government have announced plans to provide free laptops complete with a Broadband connection to low income families in the UK which means that just over a quarter of a million households can expect to benefit from the move.
“We want every family to become a broadband family, and we want every home linked to a school. For those finding it difficult to afford this, today I can announce the nationwide rollout of our home access programme to get laptops and broadband at home for 270,000 families” Gordon Brown, the UK Prime Minister said at a meeting of education ministers and professionals in London.
“It will mean all families can come together, learn together and reap the rewards together” he said.
There’s no doubt that in recent years there have been an ever increasing number of public services and facilities accessible online so it’s pretty obvious that families who don’t have access to the Internet are going to be severely disadvantaged.
Starting from this year for example, the UK government also plans to have all school reports available online which would have excluded some families but now low income families can apply for a grant to purchase a laptop and broadband from an approved supplier.
“We realise that for parents to influence and engage in the education of their children they need rich, varied and easily accessible information on the progress, behaviour and attendance of their children” Gordon Brown said.
“That is why we have said that from 2010 all secondary schools – and from 2012 all primary schools – will guarantee reporting online to parents.
“So the mother who’s worried about her son struggling with his reading can find out more about how she can help, or the dad who works long hours and can’t make a parents’ evening can keep in touch with his daughter’s progress, at whatever time of the day or night that he’s free.”
According to Ed Balls the UK Schools Secretary, computers are now as essential as having books and I couldn’t agree more.
“Families who are most in need cannot be left behind in the digital revolution we’re seeing in education.
“Computers are no longer a luxury for the few, but are as essential a part of education as books, pens and paper” he said.
It’s true. Personally I don’t see how anyone can get by these days without a laptop and access to the Net.
Nice one Gordon.
