Glasgow City Council has announced plans to issue all the city’s schoolchildren and teachers with iPads.
It plans to give every child in all year groups – totalling 47,100 – and every primary and secondary school teacher – 4,900 – with their own device, including a core suite of education apps, by 2021.
The project is part of its contract with its transformation partner CGI and is described as Apple’s largest education project in Europe.
The council has provided the first group of eight school learning communities with the iPads and is planning to roll out the programme across the remaining 29.
It plans to invite parents and carers to information and engagement sessions at their children’s schools and to make them aware of the home school agreement, a set of guidelines to keep young people safe online and for looking after the equipment.
Positive feedback
Councillor Chris Cunningham, the council’s city convener for education, skills and early years, said: "We've had really positive feedback from the teachers who already have their devices with some brilliant examples of good practice and shared learning across the city.
"We want our children and young people to be equipped with the skills that will make them shine as digital citizens both now and later in their working lives. We are aware that 90% of jobs in Scotland involve digital work and so our pupils will be well equipped for the workplace.
"I know that this project will result in raising attainment and achievement in every one of our schools and nurseries.
"This is the biggest Apple education initiative in Europe and I'm delighted that Glasgow is once again leading the way in innovative practices."
It said that CGI is also working on providing faster broadband connectivity in schools, along with home wireless network TV and Wi-Fi in every classroom.
Image from iStock, Kristian Nawrocki
