Although the government has pledged to provide additional IT equipment to all schools, there remains an urgent need for laptops to be provided for less fortunate pupils to study remotely.
Many are unable to access the online lessons.
In Staffordshire, Cannock Rotary was made aware how many students are sharing IT equipment with their siblings, often fitting in around parents who are working from home during lockdown.
This means that some children are beginning their studies very early in the morning, while others are studying until late at night to have access to a family computer.
Some children have no access IT equipment, making working from home nearly impossible.
Although the government has pledged to provide additional IT equipment to all schools, there remains an urgent need for laptops to be provided for less fortunate pupils to study remotely.”
Cannock Rotary responded to a call from Kingsmead School in Hednesford for assistance with computer equipment, by posting an appeal on social media.
The club have been overwhelmed with the response from people and organisations which has enabled the first batch of equipment to be handed over to the school.
All equipment is being handled following strict Covid guidelines. The computer memory is securely wiped and fully tested before being used by school pupils.
The Rotary project is being co-ordinated by Steve Cartwright.
He said: “Children have one chance at education. Our club is doing everything they can to support our schools and their pupils.
Cannock Rotary responded to a call from Kingsmead School in Hednesford for assistance with computer equipment, by posting an appeal on social media.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has donated already but we still need more equipment to satisfy the demand from our local schools.”
Kingsmead’s Head of School, Maria Mincher, thanked the Cannock Rotarians for their help.
She said: “The laptops donated to us via the Cannock Rotary club, have meant that we can help other children at our school who are in need.
“It has truly been the best part of our job over lockdown to deliver these machines. The delight on children’s faces when they see us arrive with a device makes everything, we do worthwhile.”
The Rotary club are continuing their appeal for more laptops or tablets to help schools and pupils in the Cannock Chase area.
The laptops donated to us via the Cannock Rotary club, have meant that we can help other children at our school who are in need.”
In recent months, Beckenham Rotary in Kent has provided 86 laptops to 15 local primary and infant schools for use by children who are now learning from home online.
Rotarian Christopher Bird has been checking out each donated laptop, to wipe clean any previous data and to upgrade to Windows 10 Educational.
A final clean and a Rotary sticker fixed to the case and the laptops were ready to start a new life, put to good use by local school children now having to learn from home.
