Pupils miss out on laptops after 14 councils opt out of national plan
A total of 14 councils, including Edinburgh, decided to optout of a government scheme designed to deliver 25,000 lapto ps to disadvantaged chil - dren across Scotland.
The £9 million scheme has seen just under the target of 25,000 Chromebook laptops handed out to schools across the countr y, but came under criticism due to revelations the laptops spent months in storage.
In July, it emerged none of the laptops had been handed out to vulnerable pupils since t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t o f t h e scheme in May.
Just under 25,000 laptops have now been allocated, but S c o t t i s h C o n s e r va t ive MSP Maurice Golden criticised the Scottish Government for not distributing them fairly and for leaving pupils “high and dry”.
Pupils in 14 council areas did not receive any laptops, but will instead see their council’s receive cash to purchase different devices such as ipads if desired.
Mr Golden said: “When the SNP announced this scheme, people reasonably expected the much-needed laptops would be distributed fairly across Scotland.
“I n f a c t , t h o u s a n d s o f pupils have been left high and dry.
“Ever yone understood the need to close scho ols when it happened, but it’s clear the SNP government just hasn’t done enough in the interim.
“Thousands of laptops were lef t in storage, while entir e council areas were left out the scheme altogether.
“That will have had irreparable education consequences for some of the country’s most vulnerable children.”
The S cottish Government said the Chromebooks were o r d e r e d a s p a r t o f t h e f i r s t phase of a £30m investment in digital education.
A sp okesman said: “Ever y council was offered access to these laptops. Ever y council that asked for them, received them.
“We are investing £25m to address digital exclusion in schools. Funding allocations for digital devices and connectivity solutions have now been made to all 32 local authorities.”