Convener of Stirling Council’s Children and Young People Committee, Cllr Susan McGill said: “The Council’s continued investment in safe, reliable digital technology will enhance learning across our education settings for many years, ensuring our children and young people are able to succeed and achieve their potential.
“In the short term, crucially, it means our schools are fully prepared to negotiate the remainder of the pandemic, including the implementation of our contingency plans for a blended learning model should this be required by the Government.
“Securing the devices only tells part of the story, though, and it’s important to acknowledge all the training, specialised support and infrastructure work that has gone on behind the scenes to make this a reality – a huge well done to all involved.”
All Stirling Council secondary school pupils have now been issued with a Chromebook as the local authority continues its ambitious rollout of the state-of-the-art digital technology.
By the end of next week (6 Nov), all young people in P7 will also be in possession of a device, while P5 and P6 pupils will receive a Chromebook during the current term.
Every secondary school teacher has also been provided with a laptop as part of the Council’s digital drive.
More than 6,200 Chromebooks and laptops will be in the hands of Stirling’s young people and teachers once P6 pupils take delivery of their machine.
The Council’s significant investment in digital technology across its education settings is part of a long-term strategy to equip Stirling’s young people with the skills to thrive in an increasingly digital workplace and society.
It has accelerated since the national lockdown, supplemented with funding from the Scottish Government’s Digital Inclusion Grant, due to the focus on increasing levels of digital inclusion to support learning.
Earlier this month, the local authority approved a revised budget that included almost £800,000 of additional investment in Chromebooks and laptops for schools.
Major infrastructure work has also been undertaken in both primary and secondary schools to support the digital provision expansion.
Young people in S2 and S3 in Stirling schools already had access to a Chromebook as part of a Council initiative to supply the machines to all new S1 pupils in a rolling programme. This project has been in place since the start of 2018/19 session and has earned acclaim from the Scottish Government.