PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
School children's access to online learning (2 June 2020)

That this House recognises that teachers are working hard to ensure that children are sufficiently supplied with resources for home learning; notes that a large majority of these resources are online; is concerned that school children from disadvantaged social-economic backgrounds may not have access to computers, laptops, tablets or broadband; notes that pre-existing inequalities in access to educational resources have been exasperated due to this digital divide; acknowledges the current Government scheme which provides care leavers, children and young people aged 0 to 19 with a social worker and disadvantaged year 10 pupils with digital devices, and care leavers, young people aged 11 to 19 with a social worker and disadvantaged year 10 pupils with internet access provided through 4G hotspot devices; notes that this scheme does not go far enough; applauds the Welsh Government which is providing all school pupils that do not have their own internet-connected devices with school laptops and 4G mobile wifi; and calls on the Government to provide all school children across the UK who receive free school meals and any others in need with a laptop or tablet and broadband.

Sponsored by:
Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour)