The digital divide must be tackled early in life

The Home Access Programme encourages children to familiarise themselves with technology

When the e-Learning Foundation started in 2001, its mission to ensure every schoolchild in this country has their own computer and broadband access at home, regardless of the income of their family, might have been regarded as unrealistic. Today, not only is that dream realistic, it is close to being a reality.

We have helped more than 100,000 children gain access to the learning technologies they need to support their education beyond the classroom. That work is about to gain a boost with a £300m Home Access programme due to be rolled out nationwide in the autumn, following a successful pilot in Oldham and Suffolk earlier this year.

The programme, being managed by government agency Becta, provides families whose children are eligible for free school meals with a pre-paid debit card that entitles them to an IT bundle.

This includes a suitable computer, 12 months of broadband access, warranty, support and e-safety measures.

Technology is increasingly being used in and out of the classroom for studies. Without access to a computer and the internet at home, many children are falling behind. It is ºlittle surprise that a child from a disadvantaged family is half as likely to achieve five higher-level GCSEs than their peers.

The e-Learning Foundation will work with schools across the country to encourage them to get involved in the programme. Only when there is a strong link between home and school can a young person be properly supported in their learning. And technology offers a unique opportunity to improve that vital communication channel between school and home.

The 21st century has brought with it many technological advances, but there is still a very obvious digital divide in this country. The Home Access Programme will go some way to erasing it and helping provide children, regardless of their background, with the skills they require for the workplace and challenges of tomorrow.

Valerie Thompson is chief executive of the e-Learning Foundation