“Kids who can’t afford computers or don’t have access to them are at a real disadvantage. It’s a major concern if they aren’t computer literate when they leave school.”
Lord Strathcona Elementary principal Jason Eng with students and their new computer equipment received through the Adopt-A-School campaign. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
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Hundreds of Vancouver students whose lack of exposure to technology is leading to digital illiteracy are being helped by a $305,000 donation from The Vancouver Sun’s Adopt-A-School program.
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Some 206 laptops and 135 iPads are being distributed this month to seven Vancouver inner-city elementary schools and three alternative secondary programs whose students have the most difficulty accessing technology.
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The donation is also covering the cost of charging carts, keyboards and other tech equipment needed by the students.
The impetus for placing technology into inner-city schools — which are unable to provide ready access to it — came from a Vancouver philanthropist concerned that students whose families can’t afford to buy them PCs or tablets — or have WiFi at home — would find it difficult to cope in a world which requires them to be technologically fluent.
The philanthropist, who wishes to remain anonymous, approached the Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund board — which administers the Adopt-A-School program — and offered to implement a program that would help those students.
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“Kids who can’t afford computers or don’t have access to them are at a real disadvantage. …….