Trust welcomes boost in funding for Computers in Homes

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

2 June 2011

Trust welcomes boost in funding for Computers in Homes

A surprise announcement this morning by the Hon Tariana Turia, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, to increase funding for digital literacy and connection programmes, including Computers in Homes, will help to ensure that no-one misses out from New Zealand’s broadband future.

“This is a welcome boost for our Computers in Homes programme,” said Laurence Zwimpfer, programme director for Computers in Homes, run by the 2020 Communications Trust. “We managed to stretch this year’s funding for 1000 families to support a total of 1122 families, but as the programme expands into new communities, we keep discovering more and more digitally disconnected families. At a recent family briefing in Taumarunui, we had allocated places for 15 families and 50 turned up.”

“The new funding will mean we don’t have to say ‘no’ so often to families who are keen to participate,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure that every family with school-aged children has access to a computer and the internet in their homes, and parents who are confident users of digital technologies. In 2006, there were 100,000 families without internet connections; we have supported over 5000 families since the start of the programme, but we still have a long way to go.”

“What is particularly exciting about the Minister’s announcement today is that despite a 2011 ‘zero Budget’, the government continues to demonstrate its commitment to digital inclusion by building people skills, as well as the technology infrastructure through its UFB (Ultra Fast Broadband) and RBI (Rural Broadband Initiative)initiatives, to create a broadband digital future that benefits all New Zealanders. By supporting the people in the most disadvantaged and digitally-disconnected communities with programmes like Computers in Homes, we can ensure that no-one misses out.”

“I know the schools participating in the programme will be excited by this news as well,” said Mr Zwimpfer. “Principals keep telling us about how the programme breaks down a barrier between many parents and their schools. Parents are often uncomfortable coming into schools, but after 10 weeks of regular visits for Computers in Homes training, they are willing to engage much more closely with their children’s learning and even more importantly start to model learning for their children.”

The Computers in Homes graduations are a real highlight in the life of participating schools. Parents are called up to receive their certificates with loud applause from their children. “One teacher told me that for her this was the most important outcome of the programme when her students sit up straight with pride and applaud their parents’ achievements,” said Mr Zwimpfer.

In the 2010 Budget, the Government announced support for 1000 families to participate in Computers in Homes each year over a three-year period. The Trust expects the new funding will support another 400-500 families each year.

Computers in Homes is an initiative of the 2020 Communications Trust, a not-for-profit community trust set up in 1996 by Wellington City Council to promote a more connected and digitally literate city. The Computers in Homes programme has received significant support from the Ministry of Education, the Community Partnership Fund and more recently the government’s Digital Literacy and Connection initiative, as well as a number of private sector providers, notably Microsoft.

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