Concerns raised over technology availability and meals for children in Calderdale

Members of Calderdale Council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Board were receiving a report on how children and their families were coping with challenges posed by the pandemic.

The Government has made available extra laptops, tablets and other equipment but the process has not been straightforward.

Lesley Bowyer, the council’s Interim Assistant Director Education and Inclusion, said schools had worked hard on rolling out remote learning and devices in the run up to the second lockdown.

“It has not been perfect by any means and not consistent across all schools,” she said.

Access was an issue and there had been some delays in delivery of equipment which had been ordered, with primary schools being asked to delay orders, although these were now being received very quickly.

The council would be promoting some fundraising for equipment, procuring and distributing devices.

As well as some children finding it difficult to access remote learning, other issues included having a suitable place to work.

Information showing what help was available was being sent out to parents who were concerned about a range of issues, said Ms Bowyer.

“We know it is fundamental and has a real impact on children’s lives,” she said.

Coun Helen Rivron (Lab, Ovenden) said although access to equipment was not everything, it was a basic requirement.

Calderdale’s Member of the Youth Parliament, Praneetha Bharath, said students who were due to take exams were worried about their gradings, pupils were missing being taught about aspects of life because these were not on the curriculum and younger children in particular were missing out on interaction and developing their social skills because they were not at school.

In the light of the latest issues regarding the quality of food parcels given to children across the country, Coun Sarah Courtney (Lab, Calder) asked if the council could encourage local schools to use vouchers instead.

Ms Bowyer said the benefits of these – for example they can be used online, reducing the need to go out – were being promoted.

Coun Anne Collins (Lab, Ovenden) said the list of changes which schools had been having to deal with was “mind boggling” and last minute changes of mind and direction by Government did not help.

“I feel angry and exasperated – this Government needs to be absolutely clear what they are telling schools,” she said.

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