The government is unlikely to deliver all of its free laptops and tablets before many studentsare hoped to be back in classrooms, new data suggests.
Statistics published by the Department for Education today show that, as of 14 February, 1,055,745 devices had been delivered todisadvantaged pupils since the start of the pandemic.
Butif the DfE continues to dispatch laptops at the currentrate, the full 1.3 million devices pledged by the department won’t reach schools until after they are due to open more widelyin the week starting 8 March.
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Last week -between 7 and 14 February -the DfE delivered or dispatched 68,896 laptops and tablets.
At this rate, it would take just over threeand a halfweeks for it to deliver the remaining 244,255 devices.
This means the full stock of free laptops is unlikely to reach schools before 8 March, when the government hopes schools will be able to start opening more widely.
From last week, schools wereable to order “top-up” laptops for pupils in need.
The DfE toldTesat the beginning of the month that it expectedto see an increase in deliveries once orders opened for extra allocations.
Schools in the areas with the highest proportion of disadvantaged pupils-determined by the number of children on free school meals- wouldbe invited to order first, the department said.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I know what a challenging period this has been for pupils, teachers and parents -but it has been nothing short of inspiring to see schools and staff going above and beyond, as they always have done, to give our pupils the very best education possible.
“Online access has been an important part of this work and will continue to be as we help young people catch up after the disruption caused by the pandemic, which is why the delivery of these one million laptops is so vital. They represent one million children who will not let their education be overcome by this virus.
“I want parents to know that we’ll continue to do everything we can to protect our children’s education at this unprecedented time and ensure they have the tools they need to get on with and make the most of their lives.”
