Home Access provides free computers for poorer families
by Stevie Smith - Jan 12 2010, 12:38
Preventing education from being flushed down the crapper. Image: The Artifex/Flickr.
While ambitious hardware manufacturers are nobly striving to improve educational standards in developing nations by providing governments with access to cheap portable computers, some commentators may have the view that poor kids closer to home should be given similar consideration – if not outright priority.
In a move to answer such concerns, government officials in England have this week revealed a bold scheme that aims to improve and widen the learning possibilities of kids from poorer backgrounds by supplying them with completely free portable computers.
Originally announced in 2008 by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Home Access scheme will draw from a financial support well of 300 million GBP (approx. $485 million USD) in an attempt to cover the hardware needs of some 270,000 families across the country.
Launched as a grant-based initiative, the Labour government hopes its Home Access scheme will help reduce the yawning academic achievement gap that currently exists between school children from poor families and those that come from more financially stable homes.
“Families who are most in need cannot be left behind in the digital revolution we’re seeing in education,” commented Children’s Secretary Ed Balls in a BBC report. “Because of this, it’s absolutely right that we’re investing 300 million so children who need the most support have access to the resources they need at home.”
According to the scheme’s outline, families with children aged between seven and 14 are eligible to apply for the financial grant (although those held in council care or with special educational requirements will be favoured) and will receive a free notebook computer and also a free broadband connection.
However, while the computer will be the family’s to keep, the high-speed Internet connection will only be free for the first year – after which time the family must pick up the service costs or opt for a different deal.
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