The coronavirus outbreak has heaped pressure on a variety of sectors, but perhaps its biggest impact has been on those who were already most at need. That is why one Australian insurance giant is hoping to play its part with a donation of $1 million to The Smith Family to help vulnerable school students bridge the digital divide they may be facing as a result of COVID-19.
With a host of essential services, including education, moving online, Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston noted it is vital that students are not left behind.
“Many families were already doing it tough well before COVID-19 and, as we move more online, a lack of access to online learning platforms could have a lasting impact on a child’s education,” he said.
“Suncorp’s partnership with The Smith Family is a significant step towards ensuring that doesn’t happen. Supporting vulnerable students to access their schoolwork online, so they can stay connected with their teachers and classmates is essential right now.”
The move will see hundreds of Digital Inclusion Packs delivered to families across the country – ensuring they have access to a digital device and an internet connection. It comes as estimates suggest that even before the coronavirus outbreak around 1.2 million young Australians were living in poverty.
“Nearly a quarter of the 50,000 students on The Smith Family’s flagship Learning for Life program have no access to a home computer with reliable internet access and are at risk of not being able to participate fully in their education during this crisis,” said Dr Lisa O’Brien, the CEO of The Smith Family.
“Children from financially disadvantaged families start school behind, and they often stay behind without additional financial, personal and practical support. The last thing we want is for these children to fall further behind in their learning as a result of not having the essential items they need to continue their studies at home.”
