By Oliver Lees
A group of financially disadvantaged students across Hume and the Macedon Ranges have been given a hand to improve their access to technology, in a bid to improve at-home learning outcomes across the state.
Not-for-profit organisation State Schools’ Relief (SSR) provides a source of advocacy for disadvantaged students across the state.
Across 2020-21, the organisation assisted more than 72,000 under age persons, with the average cost of assisting a child being $124.
This year the organisation’s focus has shifted to at-home learning. In April SSR trialled a program in which they gave laptops to students completing their high school studies, with the scope of allowing them to retain them for their post-schooling career.
The organisation distributed 56 internet dongles and 41 laptops across the Hume municipality and nine internet dongles and 29 laptops in the Macedon Ranges.
SSR chief executive Sue Karzis said technology had become a driving factor of disadvantage during the pandemic.
“COVID-19 brought to light the digital divide and the lack of access and equity to the digital tools required to engage with remote learning. This includes not only having a device, but also internet connectivity and access to a dedicated space in which to study,” Ms Karzis said.
“Students from vulnerable backgrounds are already starting at a disadvantage, and they need assistance to stay engaged with their education, which I believe is a pathway to breaking the cycle of poverty.”
But Ms Karzis said the organisation was yet to reach its distribution of technology which can be used for educational purposes, which sees as the crucial stepping stone to improving learning outcomes.
The organisation has started an online donation portal to drive-up its capacity to provide technological support.
SSR is aiming to receive $500,000 to provide a total of 1000 laptops across the state.
Details: bit.ly/3I1XcMV
