Government announces internet access scheme

ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on the news that the prime minister has announced plans to provide every schoolchild with broadband internet access at home.

Under the proposals parents are to be offered vouchers worth up to £700 to connect the 1.4 million children growing up in homes without a computer.

Stakeholder response: e-skills UK

Prime minister Gordon Brown's keynote speech at the Labour Party conference today recognised that many schoolchildren do not have internet access and as such, do not have the necessary skills to get good jobs.

e-skills UK, the employer-led Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms, welcomes today's announcement. Responding to the prime minister's plans to give up to £700 in computer vouchers to children who cannot afford internet access,

Karen Price, CEO of e-skills UK, told ePolitix.com: "Today's announcement sends a clear message that technology plays an important role in helping schoolchildren learn the necessary skills to get good jobs and this in turn will help the UK become a more highly-skilled workforce. We are delighted at the prominence the prime minister is giving to IT skills.

"Our research shows that fully exploiting technology is the single most important step the UK can take to improve productivity across the economy.

"Doing so could generate an additional £35bn for the UK economy during the next decade, but only if we take urgent action to improve our skills base, drive the business adoption of technology and foster technology-related innovation. Improving access to IT for schoolchildren is a positive step towards that."

 

Stakeholder response: National Union of Teachers

Commenting on Gordon Brown's pledge to provide internet access for all children, Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers said: "The government must be congratulated for trying to end the digital divide in education. Every youngster should have an equal start in life, and that includes equal access to the internet.
 
"If Web 2.0 is a fundamental part of lives then it must be made available to all. Students who rely on computers cannot be expected to go to the library or a friend's house for access.

"However, the reason why some families do not have a computer is because of the running costs that incur beyond the initial purchase. Enough financial provision must be given to ensure that they can maintain the upkeep and general running costs that computers involve".

 

Stakeholder response: Voice: the union for education professionals

General secretary Philip Parkin said: "We welcome this major step forward that should help children to access the huge online knowledge base - a vast public library for the modern age. Computers and internet access are essential tools that define how we learn, communicate and work. 

"However, I have a number of concerns. It seems that the funding for this has been found from savings elsewhere in DCSF budgets. Such a key and radical initiative should not be funded by penny-pinching scrimping. I hope that other important work will not suffer as a result.

"The scheme must be sustainable. One-off funding - found by robbing Peter to pay Paul - will not last. The funding needs to be in place for the future in order to sustain the initiative.

"The government must also work with the telecommunications industry to ensure that broadband is available for all children. There are still rural areas without broadband access. Distributing vouchers won't help if your village doesn't have broadband. Those children should not miss out.

"Who will decide which children will be given the vouchers? As with other voucher schemes, those just above the cut-off point miss out, with those below benefiting and those on higher incomes not needing the financial support. Some form of sliding scale of vouchers might be appropriate."

 

Stakeholder response: Institute of Education

Dr Neil Selwyn, senior lecturer in information technology at the Institute of Education's London Knowledge Lab said:

"The news that the government is to get involved in ensuring fairer access to the internet for children and their parents is welcome. While 21st century society appears to be predicated increasingly around the use of new technologies, there are long-standing 'digital inequalities' that cannot be left to market forces alone. Social researchers have long argued for direct state involvement in tackling the digital divide. Policy proposals such as these are a step in the right direction.
 
"The one in ten 'digitally excluded' households tend to be the most socially deprived along a number of variables – not least income and educational attainment. Although lack of internet access may not be a root cause of social exclusion, there is little doubt that it can contribute to the exacerbation and entrenchment of inequalities.
 
"However, these proposals must be implemented with caution, and a number of concerns remain. For instance:
 
• Voucher schemes in education have a chequered history – how can we ensure that these vouchers will be used by the families that need them most? Technology policies also require the full support of the private sector – to what extent is the IT industry on board with these proposals?

• What will this policy actually achieve? Ensuring equality of opportunity in terms of accessing the internet does not ensure equalities of outcome. How will families be supported and encouraged to develop the skills, know-how and motivation required to make the best use of online resources and services?

• Similarly, the nature of the online interaction between home and school requires careful thought. The internet is not simply a convenient means for schools to deliver information to parents. If used imaginatively, it could usher in new forms of parental involvement in the day-to-day running of schools. If used unimaginatively it could become another extension of the school's bureaucratic intrusion into family life.

• Finally, these proposals must not be expected to boost performance or increase children's engagement with education. There are many deep-rooted social factors underlying educational disaffection and under-performance which are not going to be solved by a quick technical fix. This policy proposal should be welcomed for what it is, and not assumed to solve wider educational problems and woes."

 

Stakeholder response: Intellect

Intellect, the trade association for the UK technology industry, welcomes the government's plans to give 1.4 million children broadband internet access. This announcement demonstrates the growing importance of Information Communication Technology (ICT) not only in education, but also to society as a whole.

Nick Kalisperas, director, Intellect told ePolitix.com: "The internet is a powerful educational tool, unlocking access to an almost infinite wealth of information. Intellect is pleased to see the government taking action to reduce the digital divide at a time when the UK is increasingly recognising the importance of broadband. This initiative ensures that all of these households have access to a vast pool of digital knowledge and online economic opportunities. Crucially for children, it gives them a chance to sharpen their IT skills which are essential for their future prosperity. In a 21st century knowledge economy equality of access delivers equality of opportunity.

"Ensuring that children and their families have access to technology is a laudable aim which Intellect wholeheartedly supports. However, the announcement raises a number of key questions that the government will need to address if the scheme is to be successful:

• What role should the government play in helping people develop new skills so that they can make the most of this opportunity?

• What guidance will need to be given to ensure that people use the vouchers wisely and invest in environmentally-friendly technology that will support their children's educational needs?

• What safeguards should be introduced to ensure that children can access the internet safely? 

• How can the scheme be protected against financial fraud and misuse? 

"In order for the scheme to be sustainable and deliver the intended outcomes there will need to be careful engagement with the market."