Charging for internet at school?

[m_m]

Not my post but an interesting subject none the less:

Edited October 22, 2021 by m_m

[hardtailstar]

It's the friend's daughters school with no context of why its being charged etc. So not really something to be believed.

 

If it is to be what is said then it should not be happening.

 

Also did a google and nothing on it so far

[mikeprice]

Possibly a school asking parents to 'help out' with a 'small donation' to help pay for $whatevertheythinktheycangetawaywith

 

 

What's the betting that - IF it is true - the IT department don;t get all the money???

[Steve21]

I could imagine a usage case for paying for internet to use in free periods etc in 6th forms etc, if it's for random browsing/other non-school related items just to save using personal data etc, but not if it's related to teaching/required lessons etc

 

Steve

[DrBeaker]

...What's the betting that - IF it is true - the IT department don;t get all the money???

 

Yep - the amount of times I've seen large amounts of money wasted simply because it had to be spent otherwise next year they don't get the money is so stupid. Kit purchased just for that reason, to then sit in cupboards for years.

 

If IT had it instead we could spend it wisely and improve every system within the schools.

[dhicks]

It's the friend's daughters school with no context of why its being charged etc. So not really something to be believed.

 

My guess: the £11.50 a month figure mentioned sounds like a 1-to-1 device scheme, paid in monthly installments - it's the tablet / laptop / Chromebook that you access the internet on, I can see that getting simplified into "the internet" somewhere along the way to a Reddit post. It does highlight a point, though - for some families, that's a significant enough amount of money that they'll notice it (£140 a year), and they don't quite understand what it is they're being asked to pay for or, really, given a choice about paying it. If everyone in a class / yeargroup / school is going to be expected to have a device to hand in lessons (or for home access) the teachers will be setting exercises and homework that needs that device, so it's not like you can really opt out of paying.

[localzuk]

My guess: the £11.50 a month figure mentioned sounds like a 1-to-1 device scheme, paid in monthly installments - it's the tablet / laptop / Chromebook that you access the internet on, I can see that getting simplified into "the internet" somewhere along the way to a Reddit post. It does highlight a point, though - for some families, that's a significant enough amount of money that they'll notice it (£140 a year), and they don't quite understand what it is they're being asked to pay for or, really, given a choice about paying it. If everyone in a class / yeargroup / school is going to be expected to have a device to hand in lessons (or for home access) the teachers will be setting exercises and homework that needs that device, so it's not like you can really opt out of paying.

If that's what they're paying for, then I'd wonder what on earth the devices are there providing? A Chromebook can be bought for £170 + £30 management. Easy 5 year lifespan. That'd be £40 a year.

[dhicks]

A Chromebook can be bought for £170 + £30 management. Easy 5 year lifespan. That'd be £40 a year.

 

Maybe an iPad, complete with keyboard cover and SIM card? I could see a school deciding they needed to make sure all pupils had a device they could use for home learning and coming up with a solution that included a device with a SIM card for its own connectivity off site.

[SpaceInvader83]

If that's what they're paying for, then I'd wonder what on earth the devices are there providing? A Chromebook can be bought for £170 + £30 management. Easy 5 year lifespan. That'd be £40 a year.

Most schemes like this run over 2 years rather than 5, 2 years of donations (usually spread over 20 months) but the device will last the user 5 years.

 

Many are suggested donation amounts rather than fixed, PP kids often get half price, as do siblings etc.

 

I've seen a few and all are ran slightly differently.

Edited October 26, 2021 by SpaceInvader83