Ramping up efforts to give pupils digital device access
THOUSANDS of school pupils and college students across Wales still don’t have access to digital devices to enable them to work from home while their classrooms remain shut in the latest lockdown.
More than four in 10 schools and colleges asked by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales reported not having enough devices for those who needed them as remote learning continues. Nearly a year since schools first shut, Professor Sally Holland’s survey of 167 school and college leaders has revealed a wide range of barriers still facing learners in accessing distanced learning in the current lockdown.
Separately, some councils have told our website Walesonline how hundreds of pupils in their schools are still without devices and/or internet connection. They reported particular problems for some families with more than one child learning at home.
Pembrokeshire Council said a small number of parents do not want digital devices in their homes.
The Welsh Government announced its three weekly review of lockdown restrictions last Friday and schools will remain shut, but there are hopes younger pupils could return towards the end of February.
Currently only vulnerable and key workers’ children can attend school.
The Children’s Commissioner’s Survey showed there are still wide variations across Wales. It found:
■ 12% of schools had at least 20% of learners without access to a digital device;
Colleges reported a range of 0-20% of learners without access to devices
Having shared, rather than exclusive, access to a device is common, with more than half of learners sharing access in 35% of schools or colleges. Social barriers are often as important as digital access, say education leaders, with low confidence and lack of time and space affecting parents’ abilities to support their children’s lessons.
The commissioner said she got her information directly from head teachers and college principals and said that over a period of eight days, 167 school and college leaders reported a wide range of barriers.
The most common issue, reported by nearly half of schools and colleges she spoke to, was that some families had not been in contact with the school or college to make arrangements regarding digital access.
Her report also found:
■ 42% of settings did not have enough devices,
■ In more than 52% of schools and colleges there were some households without access to the internet,
■ In 46% there were some households with insufficient data allowances.
Speaking about the findings and ahead of an appearance in front of the Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee, Professor Sally Holland, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, said: “I’ve been particularly struck by the huge and varied efforts schools and colleges reported making to provide for the varied needs of their pupils, to try to get them all online and to provide appropriate lessons and wellbeing support using a wide variety of methods.
“But a digital divide remains in Wales for learners. In response to what I’ve heard, I’m asking for three key changes.
“Local authorities and the Welsh Government should consider the findings of this report alongside their own current audit to ensure remaining local devices supply issues are resolved without delay.
“Whilst acknowledging efforts in rolling out Mifi devices, gaps remain. To ensure Wales-wide coverage, the Welsh Government should progress with urgency their discussions with major UK mobile and broadband providers so that offers to English counterparts are extended to learners in Wales.
“Whilst there are clear immediate improvements required, the Welsh Government should work on improving connectivity, access to digital devices and digital skills and confidence amongst parents and carers across the country for the longer term.”
We asked all local councils how many pupils in their schools do not have devices or wifi access. Not all responded.
In Carmarthenshire more than 1,600 devices have been distributed and more than 255 Mifi connectivity devices.
A council spokeswoman said: “A few sporadic requests continue to come through, which are being considered as they come in,” and further deliveries are anticipated.
“The Welsh Government is working with local authorities to gain a granular picture of any remaining gaps.
“The local authority is conveying to the Welsh Government what will be needed in addition to making digital poverty a non-issue going forward.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “More than 130,000 devices have been provided since the beginning of the pandemic.
“We understand how difficult it is for parents who are trying to juggle home schooling and their own work pressures.
“We’ve recruited more than 1,000 staff to provide additional support for learners who may have missed out on teaching time due to the pandemic.”