DCU’s Educational Disadvantage Centre laptop appeal to support local students

The Educational Disadvantage Centre in DCU’s Institute of Education has launched a laptop appeal to support students in local DEIS schools to continue their education remotely.

Over the past three years, the Centre established two outreach hubs in the Darndale-Coolock-Kilbarrack areas to promote access to the teaching profession, funded by the HEA, in conjunction with Northside Area Partnership and other local stakeholders.

While the Department of Education announced a scheme in recent days to fund digital devices for DEIS schools, it is believed the focus will be to prioritise Leaving Certificate students. This initiative led by the DCU Educational Disadvantage Centre will focus on first to fifth year students.

Paul Downes, Director of the Educational Disadvantage Centre, said:

“One of the schools we work with recently surveyed their students to find that a third of them did not have access to a computer. If you have a new or second hand laptop, tablet or computer that you might be in a position to donate, the schools and students themselves would greatly appreciate it.”

Given the current lockdown phase there are barriers to travelling to donate the laptops so at this stage we are asking if you have a device, can you please email Valerie McLoughlin valerie.mcloughlin@dcu.ie to let her know. Once we have clarity nationally on the conditions for gradual opening from the lockdown, we will organise for appropriate collection and distribution of the laptops, in conjunction with Northside Partnership, as soon as is possible to do so. 

Alternatively, if you live within 2km of Northside Area Partnership, some of their staff are currently working onsite and are in a position to receive any laptops at their premises: 17 Bunratty Drive, Northside, Coolock.