Rogers Communications has announced that it is working with Apple to provide iPads with free Rogers wireless data plans to students in the Cowichan Valley School District in an effort to support educational needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a press release from Rogers, the initiative is targeted at ensuring equity in access to educational opportunities while learning procedures are altered amid the current crisis. Rogers also suggests the effort can help teachers to plan a more well-rounded online educational experience.
“Rogers is committed to finding ways to close the digital divide and help provide critical support for B.C. students and families who need it the most,” said Rick Sellers, president of the B.C. region for Rogers Communications. “We are pleased to be working alongside the Cowichan School District and Apple to help meet the educational needs of families and to provide affordable remote learning solutions such as iPads that are secure, easy to deploy and easy to use so that no student is left behind while schools are closed.”
The iPads will come pre-equipped with a “suite of high-quality educational apps,” as well as three months of free wireless data from Rogers, reads the press release.
“Our work with Rogers and Apple has allowed us to continue to engage our learners in meaningful educational opportunities,” said Candace Spilsbury, chair of the Board of Education for the school district, in the news release. “Even though in-class instruction is suspended these tools allow us to still work hard to prepare our learners for a world they will create.”
According to Apple, they will also provide ongoing support in both English and French to teachers, parents and students for learning and studying at home.
The goal of providing three months of free wireless data is to support students through the end of the school year and into the summer, according to the press release.
Once the Cowichan Valley School District returns to in-class instruction, the issued iPads will be returned to schools where they will be used as tools in the classrooms.
The same program was launched by Rogers in Ontario last month.
Graham Cox
