Concern on online learning
Concern has been raised that marginalised children in West Lothian could be excluded from online learning.
Labour list MSP, Neil Findlay, says he was inundated with calls from parents unable to get online on last Monday (January 11) as all 27,000 school pupils in the county returned to schooling.
The majority of pupils restarted the year being schooled at home, except vulnerable children and those with key worker parents, to control the spread of Covid-19.
Tory list MSP, Miles Briggs, also told The Courier that this matter must be properly dealt with immediately, especially as it is not certain that children will return to school next month.
However, West Lothian Council assured The Courier that 3000 devices and broadband modems were handed out, these past few weeks and that everyone who asked for digital help has received it.
Mr Findlay said: “It is clear that far too many families were unable to access online education because of a lack of computers or broadband services.
“The Scottish Government has to provide the finances to councils to ensure that no child is disadvantaged.
“I put out a call for any families affected to get in touch if they had problems accessing online learning for their child and in just a few hours was inundated with calls.
“Every one of these have been forwarded to the council who are working with schools to try and resolve the situation.”
Mr Briggs added: “The failure of SNP ministers to properly plan for pupils to remote learn is totally unacceptable and pupils have been let down badly.
“We must have a firm guarantee that devices for remote learning are distributed to all pupils who need them by the end of this week, at the latest.
“If schools have to stay shut longer than the February 1, Scottish Conservatives have called for the budget for remote learning to be doubled to £50 million to minimise the impact on pupils’ education.
“It is crucial SNP ministers focus on our young people’s education and not another independence referendum, because they are the future of this country.”
MSP Angela Constance said: “Although learning from home is essential for public health at this time, it undoubtedly presents challenges for schoolage children and their families having access to devices and sufficient broadband speeds, both of which are essential.
“Since 2017 broadband connectivity has resulted in 95 per cent of Scotland getting access to 24 Mbps.
“I am aware that remote villages in West Lothian such as Fauldhouse, Breich and Longridge were included in BT openreach programme for upgrade announced last summer, which is encouraging.
“Furthermore, since the pandemic more than 50,000 devices such as laptops have been distributed to children and young people to help with their remote learning. Local authorities such as West Lothian are already able to access live, recorded and supported learning resources and I am grateful for the efforts of all teaching staff and pupils throughout the region.”
West Lothian Council also added that breakfast clubs, transport and school meals are also still in place for those that need it. More details are online on the council’s website.