Covid-19: School Students Learning From Home Debate
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Lord Pickles
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Covid-19: School Students Learning From Home
Lord Pickles Excerpts(4 years, 10 months ago)
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The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)
I call the noble Lord, Lord Storey. Is there no Lord Storey? I call the noble Lord, Lord Pickles.
Lord Pickles (Con) [V]
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that the last 10 years have seen an increase in social mobility and that Covid-19 isolations threaten our progress? To be without digital connection puts a pupil at great disadvantage. However, I was forcefully reminded by a recent meeting with students that, even with good digital connections, technology is not a cure-all. There is no substitute for classroom teaching and face-to-face tuition. Does this not reinforce the necessity of keeping schools open to offer the best choice in life for pupils?
Baroness Berridge (Con)
My Lords, I could not agree more with the noble Lord that face-to-face tuition is, of course, the best for students. I am pleased to say that, as of 24 September, 88% of children were in school, so that is a remarkable feat. In relation to social mobility, that is why we have aimed £350 million, through a national tutoring programme, at the most disadvantaged to help them catch up.