Department of Education welcomes further digital devices for schools in under-resourced areas

Date published: 12 October 2023

This means almost 9,000 devices in total, will have been provided to Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Special Schools and EOTAS centres by autumn 2023. By the end of this phase of the scheme, close to 240 schools will have benefitted from this significant investment across Northern Ireland.

Education Permanent Secretary Dr Mark Browne said:

“Access to quality, up-to-date technology is vital for children and young people.

“These devices will support learning in the classroom as well as at home, for those children who need it most.”

The devices were offered to schools, starting with those with the highest percentage of free school meals.

Dr Browne continued:

“The provision of these new digital devices has been a direct consequence of ‘A Fair Start’ report, which focuses on addressing the negative impact that socio-economic deprivation can have on educational outcomes for children and young people.

“Actions set out in the report can make a real impact on learning for children. ‘A Fair Start’ is about investing in our children’s future and providing them with the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to progress in life.”

The Education Authority managed the delivery of the devices to schools, which was completed by September 2023.