e-Learning Foundation Supports Governmentís 60 Million Fund To Bridge The Digital Divide

The e-Learning Foundation is putting its weight behind the Governmentís ëComputers for Pupilsí initiative, a 60m funding programme launched to put computers and the internet into the homes of some of the most disadvantaged children in England - giving them the same access to opportunities as their peers.

The ëComputers for Pupilsí initiative is targeted at 11 to 16 year olds, who live in the 10 per cent most deprived areas in England.

Valerie Thompson, chief executive of the e-Learning Foundation said that the ëComputers for Pupilsí initiative marks an important stage in the Governmentís recognition that home access to learning technologies is extremely important. But she pointed out that, although the funding will be a great help, it will not erase the digital divide in England overnight.

ìWith over 1 million schoolchildren lacking a home computer in England and over 2 million unable to go online at home, this initial cash injection, while very welcome, will only scratch the surfaceî, said Thompson.

ìWhile the number of computers in schools has steadily risen over the past five years, many schoolchildren from low income households are unable to continue their schoolwork at home due to the lack of a computer and an Internet connection,î added Thompson.

The e-Learning Foundation will play an important role in helping schools onboard with the initiative. ìSchools can use this one-off funding opportunity to kick off a more sustainable programme for many more children in their school, and the Foundation is available to help those schools with information, advice, and the possibility of a grant to get the programme launchedî, explained Thompson.

ìWe hope that schools will take this opportunity to extend the scope of this important initiative so that we can really break the back of the digital divide over the next two years. It is highly do-able, but there has to be a commitment and a willingness to take action from school leadership teams,î added Thompson.

Last autumn Estelle Morris, as chair of the e-Learning Foundation launched EQUITY (Equal Opportunities In IT For Young People), a nationwide campaign developed to eliminate the educational disadvantage that the digital divide in the UK has created. The campaign is on-going and has gone from strength to strength.

EQUITY aims to increase awareness amongst schools of the practical steps they can take to address the digital divide. And it provides all other organisations with a framework within which they can pledge their support and become an approved campaigner. For more details on the campaign go to www.equitycampaign.com