The Award-winning project Tech2Students (T2S) is back for phase 2 and we are going Nationwide. The campaign was developed in April 2020 by Trinity Access (TCD) and Camara Ireland in response to the digital divide experienced by students in DEIS schools. School closures caused by COVID-19 highlighted the stark digital divide between students from different socio-economic backgrounds.

COVID-19 showed that the digital divide is real and remains a huge problem for second-level students, those in direct provision and adult learners in marginalised communities. 58% of students in DEIS schools experience a digital divide in lack of access to broadband or a suitable learning device.

Students are in school but classes nationwide have had to isolate due to COVID-19 cases, some students are learning remotely from the classroom within their school and educators now claim that online learning and assessment is here to stay.

“Tech2Students has ensured that students who are financially vulnerable are not put at a greater disadvantage. Pre COVID access to a device was a luxury and not an essential part of school life. Now it has rapidly climbed the ranks to be a vital tool for students to succeed in education”.

Blakestown Community School, T2S recipient

Following the success of T2S Phase 1, when the campaign raised over 300,000 euro and delivered over 1,000 devices to DEIS schools, we were left with a list of over 60 schools and organisations that urgently need digital devices for their students.

In September T2S received the Innovate Together Award from Rethink Ireland, which has allowed us to become even more ambitious with our plans. This funding will allow us to deliver 3,000 devices to vulnerable communities nationwide as part of the National Access Plan. This time, NUI Galway, the NUIG Access Centre, the Galway City Partnership and the Galway Chamber are also partnering with us.

We are once again asking the public and businesses to get involved by donating their used laptops and Chromebooks or by giving a financial donation that will allow us to purchase refurbished laptops for students.

If you or anyone you know would like to donate a device please fill out this form and a Tech2Students team member will be in contact with you shortly. We are accepting donations at our workspace in Dublin and we can also facilitate monthly collections in the Dublin and Galway city and surrounding areas. Please contact us at tech2students@ta21.ie if you have any questions and/or would like to get involved.

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