Gwynedd Council aims to provide laptops for all teachers and secondary pupils through £2.8m funding bid

Providing all teachers and secondary school pupils with their own personal laptops or electronic devices is an ambition outlined by Gwynedd Council.

Approved in principle by the cabinet, the authority has revealed its hope of revolutionising education if successful in its bid from the Wales-wide funding pot, hoping to receive £2.8m in all with the authority making up the reminder.

Inspired in part by the Covid-19 crisis, which has seen more dependence on IT and remote teaching than ever, concerns have been raised that the current situation relating to such technology within schools is “inconsistent”.

The Welsh Government’s £50m fund is set to expand the Hwb programme and, shared across all 22 local authorities, aims to result in less bureaucracy, freeing up time for teachers and giving pupils access to an enhanced and more consistent learning experience.

The draft proposals include an aim of year 7 pupils receiving a Windows 10 laptop until the end of year 11, with the sheer bulk of purchase expected to drive the cost down.

Meanwhile, iPads between four pupils would be shared in younger primary school age groups with individual chromebooks for every year 5 and 6 pupil.

Head of education Garem Jackson said: “It was the Welsh Government’s intention to invest in this programme beforehand, but the pandemic has perhaps shown more than ever the importance of IT as a tool to educate.

“Digital and blended learning has been key in maintaining that relationship and that pupils do not become disillusioned due to spending so much time away from the classroom.”

The report states that pupils would be able to take their device home every day as well as bring it with them to school, with charging points and access to the Hwb network and multi-media learning software within schools.

It went on to note that the current equipment in many cases is “dated” and “unreliable, adding: “In order to gain access to the grant from the Welsh Government, evidence needs to be submitted of how the investment will be undertaken.

“Gwynedd Council is committed to renew network and wifi equipment in schools by investing £2.25 million over ten years. The sustainable model for devices means that an annual investment is required that will be set aside and invested by buying new devices when a device has reached the end of its life.

“It is a substantial challenge to secure this investment, although a number of schools do invest in the sustainability of the infrastructure, it appears to be an impulsive investment.

“Through this strategy we will ensure the best value sustainable model.”

But despite generally welcoming the plans, councillors have sought more information on how exactly it would work before committing in full.

They decided that they would only back it in principle at this stage before more information is made available during next month’s meeting.

A first funding application needs to be submitted by September 11.

But cabinet members also urged officers to consult further with schools, who will be expected to contribute towards the overall costs if given the green light.

Cllr Catrin Wager also suggested that options other than supplying a laptop for every pupil should be explored and costed before a final decision is made.

The report said: “Should the Cabinet approve the strategy and we agree with the schools on a way to fund the scheme in the future, we will order a laptop for every teacher in Gwynedd in September, with the rest of the expenditure committed for laptops for secondary pupils.

“We will start a discussion on suitable models of support in September.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter