Edmonton MP Andy Love has backed a Government scheme that could see hundreds of families with school-age children across Edmonton benefit from a free laptop and broadband access.
The idea is that children and parents who would not be able to afford to have computer and internet access at home will now be able to benefit from additional online learning like a number of their peers. Not only will the scheme help to boost a child’s schoolwork; it is likely that it will increase parents’ involvement in their child’s learning and progress.
Andy is urging local parents to check whether they qualify under the ‘Home Access’ programme. Families with a child in years 3 to 9 at school (approximately age 7 – 14) who is eligible for free school meals can apply for the special laptop and broadband access by calling 0333 200 1004 or by visiting
www.homeaccess.org.uk.
The £300 million investment will provide 270,000 low income families nationwide with a free laptop and broadband access and will help make England one of the first countries in the world to ensure young people can use a computer and the internet at home for their education.
The computers will come loaded with a suite of software to support literacy and numeracy for all the family, as well as pre-set parental controls. If parents meet the eligibility criteria they will receive a pre-loaded debit card to spend on one Home Access computer and one broadband connection per family for one year from a list of approved suppliers.
Welcoming the free laptops scheme, Andy said…
“With computers becoming an essential part of learning at schools, it’s particularly important that we close the digital divide between rich and poor.
“I really hope that as many Edmonton families that are eligible apply for a free laptop and broadband access. It will provide a massive boost to those children’s learning and for their family’s involvement in what they do at school.”