Using a voucher-code system, the partnership will pave the way for children to access the UK’s largest Wi-fi network on up to three devices at a time, for six months.
Launched today (16 June), the scheme will be offered to those who are most in need and it follows the DoE’s April announcement to help England’s most in-need children access online learning resources.
Marc Allera (pictured), CEO of BT’s Consumer division, said: “Supporting children’s education in these difficult times is a major priority for BT. Through our Skills for Tomorrow programme, we already have a whole raft of fun and engaging online resources to help children learn at home. Offering up our Wi-fi hotspots estate will ensure that thousands more children will ultimately be able to keep up with their important digital learning and online schoolwork for the rest of term and over the Summer holidays as well as into the Autumn.”
The voucher will allow access with comprehensive content filtering and will point to online resources from BT’s own Skills for Tomorrow and Barefoot learning programmes, as well as BBC Bitesize and others.
School standards minister Nick Gibb said: “The Government will do everything possible to make sure no child, whatever their background, falls behind as a result of coronavirus. We have committed over £100 million to support pupils with remote education, including to provide laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers to disadvantaged children and young people, and this initiative will build on that work.
“High quality internet access will continue to play an important role for children and families as we work towards pupils returning to schools in September, and I am hugely grateful to BT for their support in delivering this scheme.”
It’s the latest in a string of CSR initiatives from BT since the Covid-19 crisis began. CEO Philip Jansen, who himself contracted the virus earlier this year, has been donating his salary to NHS Charities as part of an initial six month commitment.
