Education Scotland has commended Aberdeen City Council’s work to support learners during the Covid-19 pandemic.
More than 2,400 Chromebooks and iPads have been provided to families by the council to aid learning from home.
The donations are being made to ensure every child that currently does not have a device at home will receive one.
It’s just one part of the work council staff have been doing to provide the most vulnerable families with the means to stay connected and access online learning.
Teachers are now be able to regularly check-in with parents and students alike while remaining socially distanced.
Gayle Gorman, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and chief executive of Education Scotland, said: “From Education Scotland, to local authorities and teachers, we all have responsibilities for ensuring learning continues for Scotland’s young people during this unprecedented period of disruption, including ensuring support for our most vulnerable pupils.
“The work Aberdeen City Council has been doing is an excellent example of how authorities can adapt to a completely new way of working to ensure that learning continues for children and young people.”
Using Google Classroom, council chiefs have created a digital learning hub to provide information and resources for pupils, parents and teaching staff.
It gives schools the ability to check on when students last logged-in to do their work, and follow up with concerns over the phone.
Councillor John Wheeler, Aberdeen’s education convener said: “We are working hard to ensure learning can continue at home for all our pupils.
“Our teachers have been exemplary in their dedication and the support they have given at this challenging time.
“It is great to receive this recognition of our efforts from Education Scotland, which has worked closely with us to support our digital learning offering through bespoke training focused on computer science and digital skills.”
Working in close partnership local authorities, Education Scotland has announced it will create a bank of learning activities, a weekly newsletter for parents and educators as well as webinars and support sessions.
