20 April 2021
A total of £380,000 has been secured to support school students with additional online learning devices, following a major community and Government partnership project.
High Value Residents, a local fundraiser and Government officials in the Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES), Economy, and Treasury Departments have worked together to purchase additional learning devices for Island students.
A total of £125,000 has been secured through funding from charitable donations, and £65,000 has been allocated from the Education IT and Schools Improvement budget.
In addition, the Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Susie Pinel, has signed a Ministerial Decision to provide an extra £190,000 of match funding from the General Reserve.
In total, £380,000 will be used to purchase learning devices.
The funding will help provide up to 400 tablets for primary school students, 720 laptops for Year 6 and secondary school students, and 50 4G internet connectors to be used with laptops.
Research by CYPES has shown that schools do not currently have enough devices to support pupils with their online learning.
Janvrin and d'Auvergne schools are among a number of schools who have recently benefited from private donations of laptops and tablets for their students.
Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Susie Pinel, said: "This combined funding will ensure that more students have access to the technology they need to complete homework and catch up on their learning."
"I'd like to thank CYPES for undertaking the research, which has demonstrated the benefits the funding will bring to the Island's students. I'd also especially like to thank the generous donations of Islanders, which will help buy more devices."
Deputy Scott Wickenden, Assistant Chief Minister with responsibility for Digital, and Assistant Minister for Education, said: "Online learning has been especially important over the last year.
"During the pandemic, the Government of Jersey, Digital Jersey and all four local telecoms companies teamed up to offer free broadband connection to households with school children and those leaving care.
"I would like to thank them and everyone behind this new community and Government partnership for their Team Jersey spirit, and for collaborating and working together to ensure that we could supply more tablets and laptops to those students who need them.
"With schools having closed during the Stay at Home order, I am committed to making sure that no child is left behind, whether they're catching up on learning, or learning from home while shielding or self-isolating in the future. These devices will make sure that every child has equal opportunity to access the educational resources we provide."
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