Children 'are falling behind in class' if their parents can't afford to buy them iPads and other tablet computers
- - Devices increasingly considered essential part of education by headteachers
- - Cost means parents with tight budgets have to rent or buy in instalments
- - Survey this month found state education could cost tens of thousands
By ANDREW LEVY
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Parents unable to afford the devices face the problem of their children missing out on the benefits of technology
Children risk falling behind other pupils at school because of a 'digital divide' caused by parents having to invest in tablet computers.
The devices, such as iPads, are increasingly considered an essential part of education by headteachers.
But the cost - typically several hundred pounds - means parents already struggling with tight family budgets have to rent or buy them in monthly instalments.
Those that are unable to afford them at all face the problem of their children missing out on the benefits of technology.
Headteachers are keen on the devices as they believe they can save money on equipment such as books and are a convenient way of researching or storing work.
Earlier this month a survey revealed free education was a myth as parents typically spend tens of thousands of pounds putting their children through the state system.
This includes £130 on technology for every child each year - and the sum is likely to keep rising.
Parents at Hove Park School in Hove, East Sussex, have been given three options to buy iPads needed for its 'learning transformation' project.
They can purchase one themselves, buy one from the school for between £209 and £300 or rent one for £12.40 per month.
One parent complained: 'I'd like to see some evidence that bringing this kind of technology into classrooms is even beneficial to how kids learn.' Headteacher Derek Trimmer admitted he expected complaints but said pupils need to 'engage with future employers as fully independent learners confident in their use of modern technologies'.
Brighton and Hove Council said the school had negotiated a discount with suppliers and the school's business model meant every child had been able to get an iPad.
A survey of more than 100 pupils suggested the proportion who rated their lessons good or better had almost trebled to 87 per cent since the tablets were introduced.
Parents are also having to find money for the devices at the Skinners' Kent Academy in Tunbridge Wells.
One mother, who is paying £45 each month to equip her two children, said: 'I am cross about it because I don't think we as parents were really left with any alternative.' National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower told The Observer the gulf between poor pupils and better off children would be 'exacerbated' by the digital divide.
Headteachers are keen on the devices as they believe they can save money on equipment such as books and are convenient for researching or storing work
She added: 'Having to buy iPads or tablets outright, or pay instalments to the school, may well be the final straw for families on stretched budgets.' A survey by insurer Aviva found parents spend at least £22,500 putting a child through 14 years of state school.
Basic annual expenses include £369 on school or packed lunches and £186 on uniform and shoes.
Extra costs paid by mums and dads anxious for their children not to miss out on anything include £132 on technology and £327 on out-of-hours sports fixtures.
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