A call has been made to the Prime Minister to release $3 million for the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) program to further assist disadvantaged communities in Australia.
The funding would provide laptop computers to more than 6000 disadvantaged children and provide more than 240 teachers with the required professional development to creatively use the laptops in class rooms.
Independent Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott said, “The application has been with the government for some time now, and while I understand the government is supportive, I am concerned about the delay in announcing and releasing the funding,” Mr Oakeshott said.
“The One Laptop per Child program is delivering for children in disadvantaged communities on the Mid-North Coast, and in other regional and rural communities.
“It is the style of program that meets the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals of engaging the private sector in technology benefits for education, and it is already leading to real and practical results in disadvantaged communities,” he said.
“I urge the Prime Minister and her Cabinet to release the $3 million so this valuable program can be implemented in more disadvantaged communities in Australia where it can help make a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged children.”
