By Tim Ferguson, 22 October 2008 15:02
NEWS
Thousands of children in England will receive free computers and access to broadband under government plans to bridge the digital divide.
From February 2009, kids in Suffolk and Oldham will benefit from a £30m pilot scheme, with the programme due to go nationwide late next year.
Broadband from A to Z
Click on the links below to find out more...
A is for ADSL
B is for BT
C is for Cable & Wireless
D is for Dial-up
E is for Education
F is for Fibre
G is for Goonhilly
H is for HSDPA
I is for In-flight
J is for Janet
K is for Kingston
L is for Landlines
M is for Murdoch
N is for Next generation
O is for Ofcom
P is for Power lines
Q is for Quad-play
R is for Remote working
S is for Satellite phones
T is for Trains
U is for Unbundling
V is for VoIP
W is for WiMax
X is for Xbox
Y is for YouTube
Z is for Zombies
Around 20,000 children could initially receive financial support to fund a computer, software, and internet access for one year - as well as three years of technical support.
The pilot is part of a £300m programme announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the Labour Party conference in September to bring broadband to children from low income and jobless families.
The initiative is being run by the government education tech agency Becta as part of the Next Generation Learning initiative.
Schools minister Jim Knight said the current economic climate should not reinforce social and academic divides that could put children from lower income families at an even greater disadvantage.
He added that the programme is not just about providing financial help but also "selling the educational benefits" of home internet access to those that can afford it.
As well as families who can't afford home broadband, the programme will also target those who can afford the tech but don't feel it has educational value, or have the internet but don't use it to benefit children in the household.
In a statement Knight said: "The bottom line is that having home access to the internet or a computer is no longer an optional extra for school work - it is fast becoming essential."
Becta chief executive, Stephen Crowne, added "effective use of technology" can significantly boost academic achievement.
Parents wanting to redeem their grant will have to buy approved tech that carries the NextGenerationLearning@Home quality mark.
The government estimates around one million children are currently without home broadband access in England.
Comments
There are 5 comments. Join the discussion
1. Seán Brennan
How about teaching them to read, write and do maths first beofre getting them hooked on pc games.
2. anonymous
Add a bluetooth keyboard and mouse and for my kids I'll be having a Playstation 3 'Internet Computer' :-)
Oh damn, sorry I don't get full child tax credits 'due to income', so I guess my Tax ££££ are funding this.
3. anonymous
How stupid am I? I bought my children computers and paid for their connection. Now the government are giving it for free.
They are now both over 18, and looking forward to free beer the govt wil surely be providing soon.
4. anonymous
Lucky you to be able to afford the computers for your kids. I suggest that you are missing the point that this scheme is for those less fortunate than yourself. Have a look at the facts about the digital divide - I would imagine that you would be surprised.
5. Alistair Thomas
Expect to find 90% of the £30M worth of equipment on the black market within days to fund "essentials" like a games console or the latest mobile phone, or even booze and fags.
Far better to put this investment into community centres where it can be accessed and supported than just giving it away. Another poorly thought through labour stunt.