Cross-party move to tackle ‘digital divide’ in education

THE Government is facing cross-party calls to close the “digital divide”, as a new Bill seeks to ensure that all children eligible for free school meals have internet access and electronic devices at home.

The legislation – backed by former prime minister Tony Blair, four former education secretaries and Robert Halfon, chairman of the Education Select Committee – will be presented to Parliament by Labour MP Siobhain Mcdonagh today.

In April, the Government committed to providing disadvantaged pupils in Year 10 with laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers but many schools have complained they are yet to receive ordered devices.

Backers of the new proposal say the Bill would make an “immediate, tangible difference to some of the most vulnerable families in our society”.

Mr Halfon told The Daily Telegraph: “We have several hundred thousand children who don’t have a proper laptop, desktop or computer at home. We know that two thirds of kids, according to the Sutton Trust, are not accessing online education.

“Not only are we heading towards a potential ice age in educational learning given the lockdown, but we also have a huge digital divide between the haves and have nots. The laptop scheme is a great initiative but it only goes to Year 10 and children in care. We need a proper system to get our kids back online.”

Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, is expected this week to set out new Government proposals for children who have missed education because of coronavirus.

Boris Johnson has promised a “massive catch-up operation” for children in England who have missed months of schooling. The catch-up scheme is expected to include vouchers for online tutoring through existing organisations and the use of volunteers to offer classes and activities.

A No 10 source said Mr Johnson was “acutely aware” of the impact the closure was having on pupils and was working with the Education Secretary on the “catch-up” plan.