Give all pupils a free laptop – not some
IN JANUARY, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced laptops were going to distributed to primary school children who received free school meals or whose family were on certain benefits.
I thought nothing of it until yesterday, when a teacher friend told me the letters to parents detailing the offer were sent out this week, less than a month since the announcement.
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This has got to be one of the most hastily and badly thought-out projects to date.
As I see it, especially the way the benefits system works, there are going to be millions of children from low income families who will be deprived of this opportunity simply because their parents' income is 1p above the benefits threshold, and once again demonstrates the Government's lack of support for those people who are prepared to get off their backside and work to support their family.
Why it is necessary to spend so much on a laptop in the first place.
I believe the vouchers are to the value of £500.
Don't get me wrong, we need to train children to use computers, but surely the aim should be to issue all children with a computer.
A couple of years ago, the world put together a £100 laptop for distribution to children in Africa, so why can't we use the same or similar kit here, and software that won't simply swell Bill Gates's bank balance.
There are plenty of open source operating systems and software applications, many of which will operate on older PCs and don't require the latest processor.
This software should be adopted and standardised by education authorities, so all schools will use standard kit, as opposed to the landfill-generating progression of software that we have seen over the last decade.
RON CARTMALE
Kidsgrove
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by bernwa, rode heath
Thursday, February 18 2010, 9:04PM
“well said Ron Cartmale.
I wonder when our leaders are going to admit to creating a new underclass who are just outside the benefit qualifications every time? Sliding scales are the only answer but they are probably too complicated for parliament to contemplate.”
by paul, wolstanton
Thursday, February 18 2010, 7:37PM
“Sheila ,I think you should apply for a job in government. Your idea of a loan laptop with a financial responsibilty to prevent a quick buck being made is spot on”
by Warren, Meir
Thursday, February 18 2010, 4:30PM
“Gary, just to put the record stright, if you meen by an upstanding members of society in that I have not got a criminel record, I pay my taxes and I put what I can back then, yes I am. As for unempolement, I have, once for 4 week in 1991 and again in 2005 for 5 days. If you are out of work dude, I don't mind the state surporting you and your famley as you try to gain employment or train for a new line of work. But to say, you poor old thing, hears £1000 for a laptop each for your kids, it frankly stinks, and you sould be offened by this to, its saying after 20 odd years of work, you can't afford to give your kids an education. I'm sure your kids are well looked after, you try your best to make ends meet and keep a roof over your kids head. But we all know that some are not like you, them are the ones I begruge surporting. Its hard finding a job at the moment.I know, but its folks like you that will get one first when it gets better. Don't let it get you down.
Hear's another idea, when firms upgraid there systems, what happens to the old stuff, why don't thay give it to kids, my last old computer went to a kid, and my last laptop to another, buth are still working well.”
by Leanne, Stoke
Thursday, February 18 2010, 1:50PM
“Well Gary, I think it's terrible that you're on benefits through no fault of your own and that you have paid in for, and you don't get any help towards school dinners. Why would this be, because you've worked? If I were you I would be even angrier about the fact that those entitled to free school dinners are also getting a free laptop, while your children won't be entitled even though you are legitimately claiming benefits. it makes no sense to me. Why don't the government use the money to invest in more and better computers to be available in schools and libraries?”
by Claire, Stone
Thursday, February 18 2010, 1:21PM
“I don't think anyone should be entitled to a free laptop.
This is just an attempt to win votes from people that probably wouldn't vote tory anyway for the risk they will cut benefits.
Completely misguided and a waste of money.”