Teachers concerned by “digital divide” due to device costs

Teachers in Australia are concerned there is a growing “digital divide” between students who do and do not own devices such as iPads, as parents struggle to buy devices costing up to AUD1,200 (£575) per child. Members of the New South Wales Teachers' Federation fear that schools' bring-your-own-device (BYOD) schemes was "the perfect litmus for the tragedy of the new policy settings". "BYOD may become a rather sad and ironic term, in that children will bring what their family can afford – the device, the support, the software," said spokesman Dean Fitzgerald. At the same time, a Microsoft-commissioned survey of 1,000 parents by the Online Research Unit found that parents feel they have wasted money on unsuitable devices, are not getting value for money, and receive little to no guidance from schools about which device would best suit and enhance their child's learning style.

NSW teachers fear a "digital divide" is inevitable following the Turnbull government's about-face on Gonski reforms, as research shows parents are struggling with the growing burden to buy devices that can cost up to $1200 per child.

In reaction to the government's decision to not fund the final two years of Gonski school funding, the NSW Teachers Federation said wealth would again determine the quality of a child's education, especially in the areas of innovation and technology.

School parent Jeanette, mother of Cameron, 17, Jeremy, 8, and Jacinta (not pictured), says buying devices under BYOD schemes is a "huge expense". Credit: Brook Mitchell

Denis Fitzgerald, the federation's acting deputy president, said schools' BYOD - or Bring-your-own-device - schemes was the perfect "litmus" for the "tragedy" of the new policy settings.

"BYOD may become a rather sad and ironic term, in that children will bring what their family can afford – the device, the support, the software," said Mr Fitzgerald.