The Minister for Education, Yvette Berry has reported that ACT secondary school students who received free Chromebook devices last year were “really positive” about the scheme, which has been expanded to include greater numbers of students this year.
Ms Berry said the Education Directorate had provided Chromebooks to students entering Year 7 as well as new students in Years 8 to 12 joining the ACT public secondary system — approximately 4,200 devices.
She said she was committed, through the Future of Education Strategy, to develop capable adults who had learnt to live productively in society, and to think, create and work in an increasingly digital future.
“This Government believes in providing equitable access to the tools that students need to give them equal opportunity,” Ms Berry said.
“This ensures that irrespective of family circumstances, every student has an equal opportunity to learn wherever they are and whenever they need it.
“Feedback from students who received their devices last year has been really positive and the students who are new to the ACT public school system were excited to receive their device this year.”
She said the Education Directorate was required under the Australian curriculum to educate students on safety and respectful relationships, including within the digital space.
“It’s important that children and young people are taught how to live alongside devices appropriately because this is a big part of life now,” Ms Berry said.
