OVER 1000 students in Coventry are receiving digital equipment to help in their learning ahead of return to classrooms.
Laptops, 4G routers and tablets are being distributed ahead of the new school term to a range of pupils in the city, including care leavers, children and young people with a social worker, and disadvantaged Year 10 pupils.
Coun Patricia Hetherton, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for City Services, said: “The importance of having access to quality technology will have been highlighted to many of us over the last few months – and it’s especially significant for young learners in the city whose education has moved online.
“This equipment will make sure that some of the city’s most vulnerable pupils can continue their education, no matter how it looks, and help to enable access for all pupils, preventing a lack of access to computers or a poor internet connection.”
The Council received 1,188 laptops and tablets and 222 4G wireless routers. An additional 252 devices were allocated directly to secondary schools for disadvantaged year 10 learners.
The devices are being distributed by Coventry City Council as part of the national ‘Digital Devices for remote learning (Covid-19)’ initiative by the Department for Education and Computacenter.
Coun Gavin Lloyd, Deputy Cabinet Member for City Services, added: “We want to make sure that every pupil in the city has the right tools to learn to the best of their ability, and this equipment will really help the young people that receive them to access everything they need, whether that’s an online lesson, research for homework or writing up an assignment.
“Having a device and an internet connection has become essential, and I’m really pleased that we’re able to support our young people who might otherwise struggle to get these.”
“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to our IT team and their colleagues who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the equipment provided is the best available for our young people.”
The Council’s ICT Digital team will also provide additional technical support for getting devices setup.
For more information, go to: coventry.gov.uk/coronavirustechsupport or email [email protected]
