Every student at a state primary school is getting an iPad for their own use – and it was all paid for by fundraising and government funding, the New Zealand Herald reports.
About 250 new iPad minis were yesterday given to children starting the new year at Te Akau ki Papamoa, a decile 4 school in Bay of Plenty. A further 45 tablets have been ordered for late enrollers.
Principle Bruce Jepsen says schools around the country have implemented "bring your own device" (BYOD) policies, but he was worried students would miss out on device to assist with learning.
Katrina Cruze, who has two boys at the school, said the scheme would expose the students to technology that would play a huge part in their lives.
"You have parents dropping the kids off in Range Rovers, and parents walking because there's no car. And they're all getting that same start," she told the New Zealand Herald.