FOI Request - School Laptop Provision

Request 101003124853

I am requesting the following information under the freedom of information legislation:

1. How many primary and secondary pupils were there in your council area in the academic year 2021-2022?

2. How many free laptops or tablets have been delivered to current primary and secondary pupils in your council area?

3. What percentage of current primary and secondary pupils in your council area have received their free laptop or tablet?

Response 02-09-2022

1. Based on our September 2021 census, there were 6,889 Primary and 5,328 Secondary pupils attending school.

2. Initially 500 devices were issued on loan on first lockdown in 2020 which was subsequently replaced by local and national funding from William Grant Foundation, Lord Lieutenant's Emergency Fund and Scottish Government funding with a total of 1,512 devices made available initially for children and young people.  Free connectivity solutions to access the Internet (mi-fi devices) were also provided to help further reduced impact of digital inequity for our learners.  In total, 2,808 devices (mainly laptops) have been purchased and distributed to pupils and staff since first lockdown in March 2020 with a further 534 purchased for during the 2021/2022 school year.   

3. Primary:  32%
Secondary:  12%
-based on a variety of funding based on [2] and September 2021 census rolls [1] above; awaiting confirmation of any further Scottish Government funding to support further roll-out.