Access 1,000

State Schools' Relief is seeking to connect with and inspire people so together we can achieve a remarkable outcome: providing 1,000 new laptops and dongles (mobile wi-fi modems) for Victorian state school students in need.

Repeated lockdowns have meant that students are often restricted to home-based learning. It is estimated there are thousands of Victorian students who do not have access to a device. Some homes may have one device and three children so learning is challenging and some students will miss out. In April, SSR trialled a program to give laptops to senior VCE/VCAL students so they could continue their learning. The laptops are theirs to keep so they can be used in post-schooling career training such as trade school, or tertiary study.

SSR has unparalleled access to support Victorian state schools thanks to the trusted relationships it has with schools. Principals and their staff are best placed to determine which families and students are most in need. Laptops will reach the appropriate students within a week.

To our knowledge, SSR is the only organisation attempting to bridge the digital divide in this way. Our recent success, providing laptops and modems to students across the state, proves that the concept (and process) works. Our relationship with corporate partners also means that we can purchase laptops at a significant discount. All laptops supplied by SSR meet the standards and specifications required by the Department of Education.