How are families on low incomes managing home education when they may not have a device?

[FortunesFave]

Are we going to see an even bigger gap between the people with the least and everyone else? I know there are families with no laptop or PC...few resources and sometimes no electricity.

How on earth are they coping? For those kids, school's a break...a place where there's always a snack and always a lunch.

They're not, you're right. Or they're being made to feel guilty for taking a school place from a key worker. Can't win.

In theory, they can be classed as vulnerable and go into school this time around, but that has its downsides too.

All the clamour for live lessons will disadvantage them more.

I don't know why you think there's "always a snack" for them at school, though.

That's why schools and school place prioritisation are not straightforward. I know some people in that situation who are creative types, very smart people, resourceful, who's kids will be fine with or without school and tech. I also know kids who's only education will be from the TV or looking after their younger siblings. Not really sure on the answer to that

This could help.

BBC from Monday

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55552962

In Scotland councils are providing devices to those that don't have. Well ours is anyway.

I'm happy they are putting it on tv. I hope that it doesn't see a spike in tv license prosecutions though because that would be a fucking kick in the teeth

Sansa in the poorest areas, it's usual to provide free snacks or breakfast. Not USUAL maybe but quite common. My sister works in a school where they keep packets of biscuits to give something to kids who are obviously hungry.

Yes I'm in Scotland and our school recently purchased ipads and chrome books to make sure that all children have devices at home where needed. Vulnerable children as identified by social services will also be automatically offered a place at the actual school. Last year during lock down, the deputy head also delivered work to a couple of kids who had issues with tech. They want our kids to learn and are doing their best.

Also...

get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk/about-increasing-mobile-data

@Inaquandry19

In Scotland councils are providing devices to those that don't have. Well ours is anyway.

Yes, in my LEA in Scotland it's already happened.

ALL pupils (from age10+) in our council area (Scotland) have been given a chrome book to use for schoolwork (at home or at school).

Some schools are loaning a device, if they have them available.

Are we going to see an even bigger gap between the people with the least and everyone else? I know there are families with no laptop or PC...few resources and sometimes no electricity.

Can't see how it won't.

It struck me earlier today when I was trying to juggle plugs to accommodate laptop, phone, ipad as batts all low at once & DH in the "office" was printing documents to make it easier for dcs remote lessons that I was finding it difficult when I had so many tools to facilitate me how the fuck did people cope with just a phone.

There was a thread where a poster said she didn't have devices other than her phone & couldn't access the remote learning through it & other posters were horrible. Technically under the guidance she could ask for a place.

Schools and housing associations etc are lending out devices here.

All good lending devices but they’re assuming everyone has decent Wi-fi.

This could help.

BBC from Monday

Not sure if I'm missing something, I'm sure I probably am, but many people now don't have a TV licence.

I’m very glad my children will be in school. We don’t have enough devices for each of them to follow their schools online learning timetable with live Teams lessons. And if I did have enough devices we certainly don’t have good enough broadband for everyone to be online at once, especially as my husband works from home.

And we don’t let my 8 year old use devices as he has smashed his way through three of them.

BBC are broadcasting on Cbeebies, CBBC and BBC2 and the red buttons in a bid to get round divices, data and wifi issues.

Better than nothing but...

Some hope here:

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/05/call-for-pupils-without-laptops-in-england-to-be-allowed-into-schools-covid

What about WiFi?

Schools are scrambling around to get devices, there are some internet providers offering free access, schools should reproducing packages of Fsms to families. If they have no electric or NRTPF or other categories they would be vulnerable and school would take them full time. There are a range of charities and grants schools often access for vulnerable families already.

At my school they are either coming into school as vulnerable or we've got funding to give them ipads and a internet dongle. We've got enough for every family that has needed them.

My school are loaning out devices this time when he was in primary last time they just left them too it

All good lending devices but they’re assuming everyone has decent Wi-fi

They? Who are ‘they’?