Laptops, internet and professional support will be available to students in term two

Students will have access to a range of computer equipment as learning moves online in term two.

Laptops and wi-fi dongles will be made available to in-need students for online learning in term two.

STUDENTS will have access to laptops and wi-fi dongles to continue their study at home in term two under a new computer loan scheme.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the Department of Education will implement the scheme for students who do not have access to a computer or the internet at home.

He said students may be issued with computer or a SIM card or internet dongle, and priority would be given to Year 11 and 12 students.

Paper-based learning resources equivalent to the online materials will also be available and distributed by mail.

“This offline learning is supported by telephone calls from teachers to students and parents and schools are working hard to ensure that no student is disadvantaged by economic or geographic circumstances,” Mr Rockliff said.

Mr Rockliff said other forms of professional support would still be available to students, including psychologists, speech and language pathologists, nurses and social workers.

He said the Department of Education and Communities Tasmania had partnered to share information and co-ordinate services “to ensure young people at risk do not miss out on support they need because they are not at school”.

Mr Rockliff said the details of education provisions were being worked through ahead of term two.

A grassroots project has begun work to get computers to in-need children to equip them to continue their learning at home next term.

Launceston mother Shelley Foale started the Laptops for Children in Launceston project after realising the difficulties many families would have gaining access to computers after being directed to keep children home.

She called on community members to donate unused laptops to be cleaned, restored and distributed to in-need children and families.

She said the generosity shown by the community had blown her away.

“Along the way I’ve heard some stories that would break your heart, and similarly, the reactions from children bursting into tears make you feel really happy,” she said.

More than 50 families needed a laptop have reached out to Ms Foale through the project Facebook group and more than a dozen laptops have been distributed so far.

Ms Foale also started a GoFundMe page to raise funds to buy second-hand laptops for children.