Literacy news
Free laptop and broadband scheme announced to strengthen links between families and schools
11 Jan 2010
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today unveiled a scheme which will see 270,000 low income families given a free laptop and broadband connection.
In what aides described as a sign of his commitment to "aspiration", the Prime Minister said he wanted every household to have broadband access to the internet.
A major aim of the scheme is to get families linked up to their children's schools via the internet so they can access progress reports on attainment, behaviour and other needs. The move backs up the government's "guarantee" that all parents will be able to access school reports about their children's progress online – by 2010 for secondary schools, and 2012 for primary schools.
It will also ensure that children can access online resources from home, supported by a recent study from the Institute of Fiscal Studies which suggests having a laptop at home could lead to a two grade improvement in one subject at GCSE.
Speaking to an international education forum in Westminster, Gordon Brown said:
"We want every family to become a broadband family, and we want every home linked to a school. It will mean all families can come together, learn together and reap rewards together."
Children's Secretary Ed Balls commented:
"Families who are most in need cannot be left behind in the digital revolution we're seeing in education.”
To read more, please visit:
BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk
The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk
