New Brunswick’s education minister says the province is spending $860,000 to help equip students as they continue to learn from home.
Dominic Cardy announced last month that the province’s schools would remain closed for the rest of the school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the school year would not be extended and that the government’s concern was public health.
READ MORE: Schools to remain closed in New Brunswick, school year not extended
On Wednesday, Cardy said the $860,000 has been used to purchase 1,000 iPads, 500 laptops and 300 MiFi data hubs.
The iPads will come equipped with a data plan.
“We’ll get them out in the next few weeks,” said Cardy.
Cardy says that school districts have been contacting teachers and families to find out what is needed.
A survey was conducted, and they were able to purchase tools based on what technology is available to students at their homes.
Cardy said the equipment will also be available in September when the province has an education program that is fully online, rather than just “tacked on” like the current method.
“There is no perfect solution, but this is a step in the right direction,” said the education minister.
It’s not clear how homes in rural New Brunswick, which already have poor internet or cell connection will benefit from the investment.
The MiFi hubs rely on cellular towers to work and in rural areas.
READ MORE: Guidance counsellers one call away for New Brunswick students
Cardy said that students are disadvantaged by technology and that this is one solution.
He said that it’s beyond his department’s power to set up new cell towers or lay fibre cable but that he will be speaking with telecommunication providers about the issue.
The $860,000 comes from within the education department’s existing budget.
Cardy said it is a result of savings from a number of things, including money saved from maintenance costs and fuel costs as a result of the lack of buses running.
The loaning of the devices will be co-ordinated through school districts. For some districts, this will be done when students clean out their lockers and other personal items left behind when schools abruptly closed.
Since students were told to stay home, they have been asked to spend one to two and a half hours a day on home learning, depending on their grade level.
Students will be expected to return the loaned devices at a specified date.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
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