Appeal launched for laptops for Leaving Cert students
AS Leaving Cert students across the county get ready to sit their state exams from July 29, they find themselves in an unprecedented position. With time in the classroom now impossible due to Covid-19 restrictions, students are having to study and use online resources, as well as keeping in touch with teachers by email as the countdown to exam time ticks on.
However, for some students this carries major issues. Among them is internet access of sufficient quality, as well as access to laptops and tablets capable of accessing the vital information they need. It was with this in mind that Cllr Leonard Kelly last week launched an appeal for people to donate any laptops or tablets that they are no longer using to students who are in need of them.
‘I know of at least 40 students who have no access to tech at the moment,’ Cllr Kelly said. ‘Some are sharing with friends or are working off their phones. In some cases, there may be a laptop or tablet in the house, but a parent may be using it to work from home or there are siblings who also need access to it.’
While it was announced in recent weeks that schools were to be given €10 million in technology funding, Cllr Kelly feels that with the demand for laptops being so high at the moment, the students just won’t have them in time to study for exams.
‘This is a tough ask,’ he said. ‘I know a lot of people are working remotely at the moment and demand is high, but equally there are people out there who would regularly upgrade their laptops and may have an old one lying around the house. I’ve been in touch with a few local businesses to see if they can help and hopefully we’ll be able to get some laptops and tablets to students who need them.’
Once a laptop is donated, Marek of Marek PC Help has kindly offered to give them the once over to ensure they’re functioning properly and once the checks are complete, Cllr Kelly aims to drop them off to the schools who can distribute them to the students who are in need of them.
Anyone who can help is asked to contact Cllr Kelly on 0872419069 or via his Facebook page.