IT devices and technical support for school pupils: FOI release

Information requested

How many devices did the government calculate were required to meet this commitment?

What is the total projected cost of meeting this commitment?

How many devices and internet connections have already been provided, as per this commitment, since May 2021?

How will the ‘full technical support’ be provided to users?

When will the roll out of these devices and internet connections be complete? (this refers to an initial roll out to ensure that all pupils have a device – I understand that beyond that the intention is for a rolling programme that updates the devices as young people move through school).

Response

Whilst our aim is to provide information wherever possible, the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

The Scottish Government does not hold some of the information you have asked for because detailed planning is being undertaken and we cannot provide definitive answers until it is completed.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have all the information you have requested.

Where possible, I have tried to answer your questions below.

How many devices did the Government calculate were required to meet this commitment?

We know that there are currently 704,723 pupils across 2,469 schools in Scotland. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that every school aged child has access to a device and connectivity by the end of this parliament.

What is the total projected cost of meeting this commitment?

We are still in the planning stages and are unable at this point to be definitive about total costs.

How many devices and internet connections have already been provided, as per this commitment, since May 2021?

Over 72,000 pupils received device to support their learning by the end of the academic year in 2020/21, via a £25 million funding package from the Scottish Government. That funding also provided over 14,000 connections and data packages for learners across Scotland.

Local authorities will also have distributed devices on top of this figure, either as a result of additional Covid funding or their own funding streams. Many of these devices will have been distributed to learners since May 2021. We do not currently have accurate data on how many were rolled out by local authorities but we are working to gather this data in partnership with local authorities to understand the full picture.

How will the ‘full technical support’ be provided to users?

We do not yet have details of how this aspect will be provided as we are still in the planning stages, along with local authorities who will be key delivery partners.

When will the roll out of these devices and internet connections be complete?

The commitment is to ensure delivery by the end of the parliament but targets and milestones will become clearer as programme planning develops.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.