Local MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy is calling on anyone with a spare laptop, tablet or iPad to donate it to local schools and children who are struggling to access remote learning.
She said: “The mass closure of schools means children will have to keep up their education from home for months to come. They’re very reliant on computer technology to do this, which is proving to be a problem in the local area.
“I’ve been contacted by one school in particular that’s raised this problem, pointing out that many of their pupils don’t have the necessary hardware to access their remote learning systems.”
The MP for Streatham said that, according to campaign group Stop School Cuts, schools in he constituency saw average funding reductions of £688 per pupil between 2010 and 2019.
“After ten years of constant cuts, it’s not surprising many schools don’t have the means to meet their children’s educational needs,” she said.
“As coronavirus constrains household finances, this is compounded by the rising household poverty in our area too.
“Data from End Child Poverty shows after taking housing costs into account, 39% of children in Streatham live in poverty, meaning households can’t afford to buy the technology themselves at the best of times.
“Children without access to remote learning technology are another group who are really falling through the gaps in our social safety net.
“I’m calling on local businesses and residents with any spare laptops, iPads, and tablets, to donate these to someone who really needs it.
“As we’ve seen again and again, it’s those with the least who are feeling the effects of this crisis the most and your donations could make a small difference by helping a local child keep up with their work.”
Potential donors can get in touch via email or the MP’s website.
