Let’s get students the technology they need

The coronavirus pandemic has brought to the surface inequalities in our city – for instance, children’s access to online learning. Bristol City Council announced an initiative to tackle ‘digital poverty’ at the beginning of the year, but in this opinion piece Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire calls on more businesses to get involved and help

THE pandemic has affected all parts of our society, particularly children and young people who have had their education disrupted for over a year.

Throughout the crisis, I have been in contact with many schools and their headteachers who tell me of the huge shortages of laptops and WiFi connection devices for pupils working from home.

Many children have been sharing a computer with siblings. Others were trying to join classes on their smartphones.

Although schools are open now, teachers tell me it is more important than ever that all students have the right technology to catch up.

While schools have done their best, and local charities like DigiLocal have been working to fill the gaps, the truth is that children and families have been badly let down by education ministers.

As a result, the government failed to deliver the promised kit when it was most needed.

As MP for Bristol West, I am working to represent the children and young people in this crisis.

Many young people are trying to catch up but have found it very challenging – many are sharing space with other family members or lack equipment.

To help resolve the hardware problem, in March I wrote to the biggest businesses in my constituency of Bristol West to ask them whether they can support young people with laptops and other equipment.

I was pleased and encouraged to hear from businesses including Immediate Media, Deloitte, Unite, WSP, BT Group, Burges Salmon, and DAC Beachcroft.

These companies have been donating money and technology, and supporting charity initiatives for local children and young people.

Uneven internet access exacerbates inequalities. This was brought home to me recently when I held a meeting with some parents from the Redcliffe neighbourhood.

Together, these parents had only 12 laptops between their 45 children.

There are some great local charities such as DigiLocal who are collecting unwanted laptops, reformatting them securely and giving them to local schools and communities, to make it easy for businesses like yours to donate old equipment no longer needed.

I am encouraging other businesses who are in the position to give do the same.

One of my top priorities is to tackle the structural inequalities within Bristol West and if your business is able to work with me on this, I’d love to hear from you.

❝ Many young people are trying to catch up but have found it very challenging – many are sharing space with other family members or lack equipment