Digital devices from government to help Tameside kids

Disadvantaged children across Tameside have been provided with laptops and tablets to help them study at home.

Tameside Council has facilitated delivering the technology to those most in need to support their education.

The scheme is designed to support children unable to attend school because of the coronavirus restrictions and who don’t have access to a computer at home.

The Department for Education has supplied the digital devices, which are worth around £300,000.

Schools will own the devices, which will be returned to them and are covered by the schools’ insurance.

In partnership with schools and social workers, the council’s Children’s Service identified eligible children and the equipment’s distribution, arranging the delivery of 964 laptops and tablets for pupils with a social worker and 144 laptops for disadvantaged Year 10 pupils, as well as 184 4G wireless routers to help those unable to connect to the internet.

Cllr Leanne Feeley, Tameside Council Executive Member for Lifelong Learning, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to deliver these laptops and tablets to the most disadvantaged pupils. I’m certain they will prove invaluable to those who use them.”