Newport Pupils Need Laptop Donations

Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council (NCCC) urges individuals, organisations and businesses to donate laptops to children learning from home.

11:42 16 February 2021

A local council has called for laptop donations to help children in need learn from home. Individuals, organisations and businesses are encouraged to donate laptops or tablets that they are not using. The council says all the equipment they collected will be cleansed of data by a licensed contractor and will be reconditioned, if needed.

NCCC admits that the number of laptops distributed by the Department of Education is not enough to fulfil the need. Although students in receipt of Free School Meals or Pupil Premium have received equipment, there are still a number of pupils without access to a computer.

Cllr Julie Jones-Evans said: "By utilising unused laptops we are mindful of not being wasteful and this aligns with us being part of the Green Towns Network.

"Any unviable equipment will be recycled by an accredited contractor."

Anyone who is able to donate any suitable equipment has been asked to emaillaura.jones@newportwight.org.ukto arrange collection.

Cllr Matthew Price added: "We are home teaching our two daughters who are in different year groups and we are at times both working from home.

"Without purchasing another laptop ourselves it would have been virtually impossible to keep up with the demands of learning and work.

"This will ensure those not eligible for a laptop through the usual routes will be able to home school their children with the right technology”