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"iCan't afford school iPad"
03.05.12
by Linda McGrory
A CASH-strapped father fears he will have to borrow
from the Credit Union if his local secondary school
goes ahead with plans to introduce iPads this year.
Carndonagh Community School in Co Donegal recently
hosted an information meeting to discuss proposals
to introduce tablet computers for 180 first year
pupils in September. But not all parents are happy
going the e-book route.
"The cost of the iPad system is €750, according to
information that we recently received from the
school. For anyone not getting a book grant this is
practically unaffordable. I am still in a job but my
wages have been cut. I will not be in receipt of a
book grant which apparently may also be used to help
pay for an iPad," said the man, who did not want his
child identified.
He has two more children due to start secondary
school in the coming years and says he cannot afford
to buy three hand-held computers.
He also feared that e-books licences would have to
be renewed after a fixed period, weakening the
argument that they are more cost-effective in the
long run than buying new editions of textbooks. |
Paul Fiorentini,
principal of the 972-pupil Carndonagh Community
School, said the school had not made a final
decision on introducing tablet computers.
"We acknowledge the financial commitment this
entails and we wouldn't undertake it lightly.
“We have sent a survey to all of the parents of the
incoming first years and they have been invited to
respond to us with their views. We haven't made a
final decision yet," said Mr Fiorentini.
He said parents were told that the new pupils would
have the option of using either textbooks or
e-books. However, those against the proposal say
children want to blend in. |
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Paul Fiorentini. |
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“My child does not want
to be different to anyone else in the class and
therefore wants us to buy an iPad. I feel that I
will now have little option but to look for another
Credit Union loan to finance this ridiculous idea. I
have been in touch with a number of other parents
who feel the same way about this issue but who did
not feel comfortable mentioning their concerns at
the information evening,” he added. |
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