Petitions and activism
Free to air education programs on TV for all school children
HoneyQueen · 30/04/2020 08:44
Digital poverty no WIFI - in the UK.
We are 6 weeks in lockdown and I wondered why my children’s primary school didn’t provide online homework or live Zoom classes like other schools - I was shocked with the reply I received - 50% of pupils in my school have either no access to WIFI or a laptop - this touched my heart - I started this petition for the Government/MP’s/BBC whoever can help to start free to air curriculum based educational programs for school aged children during lockdown.
Please sign and share my petition below you can click on the following link or copy and paste link in your browser:-
chng.it/JDc8wmZHqL
Please read the following article:-
'Digital poverty' in schools where few have laptops
By Sean CoughlanBBC News family and education correspondent.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-52399589
Extract from above article:-
“"In our schools, 60% to 70% of children wouldn't have laptops," says Wayne Norrie, head of an academy trust with schools in disadvantaged areas.
With schools closed and pupils studying online at home, he says, it is important to recognise the social gap in access to technology.
"Coronavirus has revealed the scale of the digital divide," he says.
The current lockdown has turned technology into an educational necessity rather than a luxury.
Robert Halfon, chair of the education select committee, says too often there are assumptions about access to broadband and up-to-date computers.
As an MP, he says he deals with constituents who have to weigh up the cost of data before sending emails or getting information online.
He suggests educational programmes could be put on free-to-air television to reach those not online.”
Thank you for reading - I have posted to all my phone contacts (not that many as I’m not a blogger or anything) can you please sign and share by clicking or entering following link in your browser.
chng.it/JDc8wmZHqL
poshme · 30/04/2020 08:52
They are.
BBC every day. 9-10 for primary, 10-11am for secondary. And then vaguely educational programs all day.
It's on the red button. Free to air.
Selfsettling3 · 30/04/2020 08:58
Many local authorities are also providing lap tops for students in year 10 and 13.
KittenVsBox · 30/04/2020 09:50
Ok, it requires a TV licience but the BBC are already doing this.
Laptops only solve half the problem - broadband also needed. Hotspots off a mobile probably aren't sufficient either, especially where packages are limited due to cost.
HoneyQueen · 30/04/2020 11:12
Thank you poshme - I didn’t know!
Feel silly now!
Thank you Mumsnet you never fail me :)
It does still leave the issue of digital poverty and WiFi access - but I’m very happy the free TV education has been addressed. My children are watching it now!
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