Gwynedd Council Helps Bridge Digital Divide

All of Gwynedd’s Year 10 and 11 pupils to receive laptops soon.

06:46 16 September 2020

A scheme backed by the council's Cabinet and funded by the Welsh Government will soon see all of Gwynedd's Year 10 and 11 pupils receiving their own laptops. The scheme is part of a new digital strategy stressing "no child should be left on the wrong side of the digital divide". 

 

The Welsh Government is expected to release the £1million fund for the scheme immediately. Oldest secondary pupils and the county's teachers will be the first to receive their own device. Windows 10 laptops will also be distributed to all secondary pupils as well as Years 5 and 6 in primary school. 

 

A council spokesperson said: "It is recognised that further investment will be needed in future years to ensure the success of this scheme. 

 

"The education department is currently in discussion with the county's schools regarding the best way to fund the project from 2021/22 onwards."

 

Meanwhile, Cllr Cemlyn Williams, the cabinet member for education, said: "This ground-breaking initiative that has been developed over the past few years will be central to achieving this ambition and will support all aspects of the new curriculum. 

 

"From ordering our weekly shop to virtual medical consultations, through the coronavirus period we have all seen the potential of technology drive our economy and support individuals and communities.

 

"There is no doubt that these new ways of working and living will intensify and become the new normal over the coming years."