Free digital devices provided to pupils in Scotland: FOI release

Information requested

1. The total number of free digital devices provided to pupils in Scotland, as pledged in 2021.

2. The number of devices received per Local Authority.

Response

1. The total number of free digital devices provided to pupils in Scotland, as pledged in 2021.

Scottish Government has not issued any devices between April 2021 and the date of this request. However, we know that many local authorities have invested in devices in line with their own digital strategies. Information provided by local authorities in December 2022, indicated that 280,000 devices had been distributed to learners (including 72,000 funded by the Scottish Government in 2020).

As of December 2023, we have adopted a change in approach to the delivery of the digital device commitment. In order to maximise available funding during this challenging financial climate, support for digital access will now be provided at a household level, targeting investment at disadvantaged families with children who are experiencing digital exclusion.

This means that funding for devices will now be granted through the Connecting Scotland programme rather than local authorities. By providing this support to households in need, we will improve equity of access to devices and connectivity for whole families; expanding the impact of this investment beyond learners.

Work has commenced on the scheme design and governance for this project, and we are engaging closely with COSLA.

2. The number of devices received per Local Authority.

As outlined above, Scottish Government has not issued any devices to local authorities between April 2021 and the date of this request. In 2020-21, Scottish Government provided £25 million to local authorities for devices as a result of the pandemic and closure of school buildings. This resulted in the provision of 72,000 devices and 14,000 internet connections.

We know that many local authorities have made funding available for the purchase of devices for learners. Information provided by local authorities in December 2022, indicated that 280,000 devices had been distributed to learners (including 72,000 funded by the Scottish Government in 2020).

We do not hold further information on the number of devices local authorities have issued to schools since this time or the amounts of local funding made available to enable this. Local authorities should be able to provide more detailed information on their digital assets for education.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.