Disadvantaged pupils battling digital divide

NEW polling from education charity Teach First has found that only 2 per cent of teachers working in schools serving the most disadvantaged communities say all their pupils have adequate access to devices and internet to work from home.

This is five times less than the most affluent schools (10 per cent) and three times less than the national average (6 per cent).

In addition, three in four teachers in the most affluent schools say they have enough devices for at least three-quarters of their pupils, compared with just one in four teachers in the most disadvantaged schools.

The issue of the digital divide has received significant attention throughout the pandemic, with most pupils studying at home for extended periods.

During this period the government successfully distributed more than 1,300,000 devices to schools across the country.

Teach First also worked with businesses and partners to deliver over £1,000,000 worth of devices and dongles to schools serving disadvantaged communities. The pandemic has drawn attention to a number of inequalities in our education system and it is clear that the digital divide is a serious issue. But it goes far beyond the current pandemic.

Technology is playing an increasing role in pupils’ learning and is central to resilience in the face of potential disruption.

If young people from disadvantaged backgrounds do not have access to devices and the internet – as well as a good space to study – then the attainment gap will widen.

Government, businesses and charities played an important role in supporting schools to ensure pupils forced to work from home during the pandemic were able to do so.

But now we have to look at the long-term future of education – and that means prioritising investment towards schools serving disadvantaged communities, where the digital divide remains stark.

Russell Hobby, CEO, Teach First