An additional 21,000 internet dongles will be delivered to Victorian students following an agreement between the Victorian Government and Telstra.
Minister for Education James Merlino announced the extra dongles will be available to help meet the significant demand for internet access from Victorian students now they have moved to remote and flexible learning.
These come in addition to the 5,000 SIM cards and dongles already announced, bringing the total to 26,000.
More than 48,000 laptops and tablets have already been loaned to Victorian students since the start of term 2. This includes more than 29,000 laptops and tablets loaned to primary school students, more than 12,500 to secondary school students, and more than 1,800 to special school students.
The first tranche of SIM cards and dongles are being rolled out to schools, with priority given to senior secondary students, students in bushfire-affected areas and families who cannot afford an internet connection at home.
Minister for Education James Merlino said the government are making sure no child misses out on learning during this period by providing a device to every child that needs one, as well as internet access to thousands of Victorian students.
“This new agreement will mean a further 21,000 internet access devices will be available to support Victorian students while they learn from home,” Mr. Merlino said.
Almost all Victorian students are learning from home during Term 2 to increase physical distancing and slow the spread of coronavirus.
Victorian schools have been using both online and offline education materials that can be completed by students at home.
The recently launched Learning from Home website also provides online and offline resources for schools, students and families to help teach and learn remotely.