A scheme to give free laptops to pupils from poor backgrounds is being rolled out to 270,000 families in England.
The £300m Home Access scheme, first announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2008, has been piloted in two local areas.
It will allow some of the most in need children, those in care and from the poorest homes, to apply for a grant for a free laptop and broadband connection.
It aims to help bridge the achievement gap between rich and poor pupils.
A recent study from the Institute of Fiscal Studies suggested having a laptop at home could lead to a two grade improvement in one subject at GCSE.
Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said: “Families who are most in need cannot be left behind in the digital revolution we’re seeing in education. We’re leading the world with the way we use technology in learning and we’ve shown our commitment to this by making ICT the backbone of every lesson in the new primary curriculum. 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.”
He also said there were educational, economic and social benefits of being online at home that could not be ignored.
Source: BBC Education
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