Council’s Education team praised for rapid response in ensuring pupils’ access to home learning

14 January 2021

Aberdeen City Council’s Education Service team was today (Thursday 14 January) praised for its rapid response ensuring that the city’s pupils are once again able to take part in learning at home during the current lockdown of schools.

Last April, officers ensured that pupils without internet access at home were still able to take part in online lessons and following the Scottish Government’s 4 January announcement of a school lockdown until the end of the month, they have once again stepped in at short notice to support home learning.

Pupils have already received 7536 Chromebooks in the last week with families continuing to receive devices from officers. The fast pace of the roll-out meant that 21,541 pupils, representing about 93% of children and young people attending school in Aberdeen, took part in their Google Classroom on Tuesday.

As was the case in April, laptops and Myfi dongles have been provided for children and young people without home wifi access in order that they can easily access the curriculum and continue their studies.

Education Operational Delivery Convener, Councillor John Wheeler, said: “Once again, I must thank our Education officers in rising to the challenges posed by the new lockdown.

“We are committed to ensuring that all of our children and young people have access to the best possible education even during these most difficult of circumstances. By maintain continuity in the curriculum this way, our pupils and staff will be well placed for when normality returns to our classrooms.”