The Isle of Man’s education department has insisted all primary schools have enough digital devices to accommodate their largest class, despite data showing 14 schools have fewer laptops than pupils.
Department of Education, Sport and Culture member Daphne Caine told Tynwald this week that while individual device shortages existed, combined laptop and iPad totals were sufficient.
“The department aims for equity across all of the island’s primary schools in the resourcing of digital devices,” Mrs Caine said.
However, Dr Michelle Haywood raised concerns that provision had only improved in four schools due to falling class sizes rather than increased equipment.
Dr Haywood questioned how teachers could “ensure that the next generation is sufficiently enabled if she has failed to provide schools with enough equipment for each child to work independently”.
She described the situation as “the modern day equivalent of not providing enough pencils and exercise books”.
Mrs Caine acknowledged that “14 primary schools have fewer laptops available than pupils in their largest class” and “five primary schools have fewer iPads available”.
She added: “Three primary schools do not have enough laptops or iPads individually to support their largest class, however, all primary schools have enough devices, overall laptops and iPads combined, to accommodate their largest class.”
The department relies on Government Technology Services for device supply and refresh, with Mrs Caine confirming that schools can raise issues directly through GTS.