Funding cut hits Computers in Homes | Stuff.co.nz

Funding for a scheme that provides refurbished computers to poor families will fall from $3 million last year to $1.4m this year, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has confirmed.

The charitable scheme, Computers in Homes, is run by the 2020 Communications Trust and has helped 12,000 disadvantaged families with school-aged children get computers since its inception in 2000.

For a contribution of $50, families receive a recycled computer, free training, six month's internet connectivity and technical support.

Computers in Homes national coordinator Di Daniels said the National government put the scheme on a firmer financial footing three years ago when former Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia awarded $8.3m over three years for the scheme and for another to set up computer "clubhouses" in poor areas.

"What that meant for us was we could go ahead and deliver the programme without having to apply for contestable grants every year, which meant we were able to plan and that was much more efficient," she said.

The "worst case scenario" was that Computers in Homes would now only be able to provide equipment for about 600 families a year, rather than the 1500 a year it had been helping over the past three years, she said.

Goodhew said the funding drop reflected previous Budget decisions about how to spread out funding for the scheme.

"The Government also has a number of other initiatives supporting digital literacy including the additional $1.9m funding over three years for Computer Clubhouses that I recently announced, as well as initiatives under the Education and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment portfolios," she said.

The 2020 Communications Trust estimates about 90,000 families with children in low decile schools do not have a computer and the internet at home.

Labour Party information technology spokeswoman Clare Curran said they were some of the most disadvantaged homes in the country.

"By cutting this programme the Government is making a mockery of its commitment to digital literacy and closing the digital divide," she said.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye said it should be borne in mind that she was setting up a "digital literacy reference group" of professionals from the education and technology sectors.

The reference group would look at recommendations from the Education and Science Committee's Inquiry into 21st Century learning environments and digital literacy, including issues such as "device policy", she said.

- ? Fairfax NZ News

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/budget-2013/8754279/Funding-cut-may-hit-computer-scheme

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