NDP calls on province to address the digital divide in education

With Saskatchewan schoolchildren needing access to Wi-Fi and a phone, laptop, or tablet to participate in online learning activities with their classmates, some kids are being left behind. The Saskatchewan NDP is calling on the province to work with stakeholders to close the digital divide for Saskatchewan schoolkids.

“Teachers, school divisions and parents have stepped up in so many ways for our kids in these difficult times,” said NDP Education Critic Carla Beck, “but we know there’s a sharp digital divide in our communities that is leaving some kids isolated from their peers and falling behind.

“We are urging the province to work with school divisions and teachers to ensure that every school has a technology equity plan and resources available to close the digital divide for Saskatchewan kids.”

Beck was joined by Shannon Chappell, a single mom of three school-age kids in Saskatoon. Shannon lost her job and began receiving Social Services benefits while she upgrades her skills and looks to change careers. The only device she has at home capable of accessing the internet is one mobile phone.

One of Chappell’s children attends a special program and has special needs. His classroom was his outlet for socialization, and he is desperately missing his classmates. Another is in Grade 8, does well academically, and is very concerned about falling behind before she enters high school.

“My kids miss their classmates, they miss their teachers, and they’re frustrated that they can’t participate fully in their school activities,” said Chappell. “We shouldn’t be letting Saskatchewan kids slip through the cracks like this.”

“The solutions are here in our communities, but the government should be taking the lead and committing the necessary resources to close this gap,” said Beck. “Why haven’t they already moved to make this happen?”

Latest posts

NEAR-DECADE OF SASK. PARTY FAILURES LEFT PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY ILL-PREPARED FOR LAST YEAR’S WILDFIRE CRISIS

Scott Moe, Tim McLeod Dodge Accountability Yet Again

SASKATOON – A near-decade of failure to prepare by Scott Moe, his ministers and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency were exposed during last year’s wildfire crisis, says a scathing report that Carla Beck’s team continues to analyze.

SASKATCHEWAN CHILDREN & YOUTH VICTIMIZED BY VIOLENT CRIME HAD CANADA’S HIGHEST RATE OF LATER ENCOUNTERING POLICE

Carla Beck’s Team Calls On Scott Moe, Sask. Party Break Vicious Cycle By Investing In Supports and Intervention For Young Victims

REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is calling on Scott Moe and the Sask. Party to provide significantly more support for child and youth victims of violent crime after a new Statistics Canada study found Saskatchewan had the highest provincial rate in Canada of youth victims later encountering police as accused persons.

SCOTT MOE MUST URGENTLY ADD RESOURCES TO OVERRUN FRONT LINES OF SASKATOON DRUG CRISIS

Saskatoon Fire Report 680 Overdoses In April, More Than 22 Per Day
SASKATOON – Critical first responders continue to urge the provincial government to provide additional support for local organizations working to address Saskatoon’s toxic drug crisis.

SCOTT MOE’S $26-BILLION COAL CATASTROPHE COULD COST SASKATCHEWAN $160M IN ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE COSTS: REPORT

Pembina Analysis Comes As Medical Experts Across Canada Also Warn About Impacts of Backwards Sask. Party Plan
REGINA – Independent analysis from the Pembina Institute estimates that Scott Moe’s catastrophic $26-billion coal plan could cost Saskatchewan over $100 million in additional healthcare costs.

NDP Caucus Office