College leader’s broadband warning after spending £190k on laptops

Bill Jones, who is head of Leeds City College, says a major national effort is now required to prevent the a digital lottery hindering the chances of children.

Writing in The Yorkshire Post, he says: “What we want to see from our government is a clear and timely response to the digital divide that builds on the handing out of devices, which is only part of a complex problem.”

His warning comes ahead of today’s Opposition Day debates – and votes – in Parliament on remote learning and free schools meals policy in addition to calls to extend the £20 a week increase in Universal Credit to the poorest families beyond the March 31 cut-off.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab suggested yesterday that Labour were looking to score cheap political points as Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey added his name to growing calls for Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to be sacked.

But Mr Jones, who is also deputy chief executive of Luminate Education Group which runs colleges in Leeds, Keighley and Harrogate, says young people deserve a far more robust response from political leaders.

He warns that around 190,000 properties across the UK cannot access a decent broadband connection in addition to the 1.78 million young people not being able to use a laptop, desktop or tablet.

“This has seen his organisation invest over £200,000 to provide additional devices and WiFi dongles for students so they can take part in lessons from home,” he adds.

“The emphasis on devices is completely right but what happens once that device lands in a student’s hands? 
We need to acknowledge the additional hurdles to be overcome, such as limited broadband, sharing devices between families, unsuitable learning environments and parents and carers who have limited knowledge on digital access.  
“The statistics make it clear that the short supply of devices is only part of the problem. Before the election, Labour’s  plan to offer free broadband to all was ridiculed.

“Now it is looking like a very pragmatic solution in providing inclusivity for those on the wrong side of the technology divide.”

The Department for Education says a further 300,000 laptops are being made available, taking the total number to 1.3 million, after being criticised for its slow response and failure to foresee the latest lockdown.

But Tracy Brabin, the Batley & Spen MP, says far more needs to be done. “It is not just about the tech, is it?” said the Shadow Culture Minister.

“It is also about supporting the educators, the teachers, the teaching assistants and the mums, dads and carers, many of whom may not be natural teachers or may have a job to do at home while also trying to home school their children.”

And Justine Greening, a former Education Secretary, believes this is an opportunity for politicians to set out the levelling up agenda – and their future expectations for schools and social mobility.

“We cannot go back to business as usual in politics,” she wrote in this newspaper on Saturday. “It’s time for our political system to swing behind a mission on levelling up that transcends party politics. Our political system should embrace the fact that it does not have all the solutions when it comes to delivering a levelled up Britain.”

[email protected]

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.