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The principal of a leading British-curriculum school has backtracked on plans to insist pupils be provided with iPads and laptops for use in the classroom from September after an angry revolt by parents ... by delaying their introduction.
Ed Goodwin initially told them via the school’s online parent portal that the move would ‘enhance the learning of students’ following the success of pilot projects.
Originally all pupils, from Year 2 to Year 6, would have had to bring an iPad into class and in the senior school ‘the essential equipment for all students’ would include a laptop, he told parents.
Last week’s move created a storm of controversy online with one posting creating a whirlwind of response. It was taken down because of the heated debate that ensued and the nature of some of the comments made.
Many concerns appeared to be over the timing of the decision, the lack of warning and the substantial cost involved when some expat families are struggling financially as a result of companies tightening their belts in the current economic climate.
One parent said: “St Chris is just trying to be trendy.” Another tech-savvy father suggested a series of cost-effective alternatives as the suggested machines would need to be regularly updated and replaced.
Other comments included: “I know my son; he will drop it or leave it at school or on the bus.”
Although the junior and infants school in Saar is a recent build, the split-site St Christopher’s senior school building in Isa Town is in dire need of improvements or replacing and does not have enough lockers.
One mother voiced concern over the thought of her child having another bag to carry containing a laptop and accessories, on top of the books he heaves around which she says she even has trouble picking up some mornings because of the weight.
Others said the request should have been made at the end of the year before the festive break when extended family members could have been asked to contribute as joint Christmas presents.
Four days after the initial announcement, Mr Goodwin informed parents of a change of plan. He said: “Over the last few days, it has become apparent that the sourcing, purchasing, shipping and installation of purpose-built, secure and compact storage facilities for the Isa Town site, cannot be guaranteed to be completed by the start of the autumn term. This being the case, we have decided to postpone the Senior School laptop initiative by one year, i.e. laptops will be required for September 2016.”
As for the lower years, he conceded: “The point of view has been expressed that five months is insufficient notice to give parents. I do not know if this is a common feeling, but, in order to allow parents further time and the possibility of birthday and festive season presents to come into play, we will delay the need for an iPad until January 2016.”
In the meantime, pupils will be encouraged to bring laptops and iPads into school and Mr Goodwin listed numerous international schools which already insisted on pupils bringing similar equipment with them to class.
He insisted that if St Christopher’s did not proceed with the plan eventually it would lag behind. “This would be to the detriment of children’s learning and, in the event that a child moves from St Christopher’s, their transition to another school,” he added.
A social media Facebook page has been created entitled St Chris Parents Initiative to debate the issue, with one parent stating: “There are not even enough lockers in the senior school for the students as is, will the principal now suddenly have the funds to ensure there will be enough lockers for each student to lock away their laptops when they do PE or on break?
“In the junior school why does each child need an iPad? Why can the school not purchase 50 or so then they can have a library system where they can get booked in and out, Years 2 - 6 will not need one in every lesson.
“I think this is jumping on the bandwagon of a poorly thought-out initiative.”
Another suggested: “The statement, every student needs his or her own iPad at school is postulated by Apple for a clear commercial reason.”
An iPad Mini3 WiFi costs between BD165 and BD249 and a MacBook Pro from BD465 to BD680.
School governors did not discuss the matter at their recently-held meeting but it is likely to be on the agenda at the next one.
