Remote learning remains a major hurdle for former state-owned farm areas

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a plethora of issues, not least health-related ones. The use of modern technologies in education is both a major opportunity and a challenge.

It has been noted that former state-owned farm areas suffer from a significant deficit of computer equipment and face difficulties in internet access. This has had an impact on the children’s fulfilment of school obligations during remote learning. The “Granty PPGR” (English: Grants for Former State-owned Farms) project aims to address such limitations.

“The epidemic has shown how difficult it is to provide normal education when there is a need to switch to online learning outside the schoolhouse. This has been a great loss for children, for young people”, stressed PM Morawiecki.

Former state-owned farm areas set to receive up to 100% co-financing

Under the “Grant PPGR” programme, former state-owned farm municipalities will receive reimbursement of up to 100% of eligible costs. The amount of funding allocated to this project is PLN 586,222,805. Co-financing will be awarded based on the number of children and grandchildren of former state-owned farm workers in the municipality, up to a maximum rate of PLN 2,500 for a PC and PLN 1,000 for a tablet computer.

“The programme we are launching today – a 500 million zloty one – is meant to provide computers and tablets for children and young people attending schools in former state-owned farm areas. Its primary purpose is to equalise development opportunities. It is a major modernisation effort”, said PM Morawiecki.

Polish children and teens to receive 215,000 PCs and laptops

Monday saw the inauguration of an agreement with the Zatory Municipality under the Operational Programme Digital Poland. The municipality, located in Poland’s Mazowieckie Voivodeship, was granted PLN 206,800 for 82 computers, laptops and tablets along with the necessary software. Children and teens across the Mazovia region are set to receive 5,075 computers and laptops, as well as 67 tablets and the necessary software, for a total of PLN 14,570,518. The young people who receive electronic equipment under the programme will have the right to keep it.

As many as 1,600 Polish municipalities have already submitted co-financing applications for 215,000 computers and laptops, as well as more than 3,000 tablets. The government is in the process of preparing agreements for the remaining municipalities, with a view to disbursing the programme funding once they have been signed.

“During these 2 years, one had to make do – having equipment, computers, internet access, was a necessity. Not all schools had a chance for an equal start and equal opportunities in this respect. Rural schools in former state-owned farm areas did not have the same opportunities as those located elsewhere due to many issues, primarily historical ones”, said the Prime Minister.

New computers and internet access under “Grant PPGR” programme

The programme aims to support former state farm worker families whose children do not have access to computer equipment and the internet. Co-financing will be provided for such things as:

• ​​computer equipment with accessories and necessary software to enable remote working – including any necessary accessories and software for people with disabilities;
• insurance of purchased computer equipment;
• internet access service for computer equipment purchased under the project.

“I believe that this programme’s announcement here in Zatory marks a symbolic opening of a new era for education, one aimed at providing equal opportunities”, emphasized PM Morawiecki.

Eliminating digital exclusion

Apart from subsidising children from families of former state farm workers, the government also strives to support the digitisation of local authorities. Under the Digital Municipality project, Poland’s local government units receive funding for the digitisation of public offices and cyber security improvements. Local governments receive the funding needed to introduce digital solutions at their offices, as well as their subordinate and supervised units. This funding is used for such purposes as:

• acquisition of IT equipment and software, as well as licences necessary for the implementation of e-services, remote working and education,
• digital education on hardware and software operation and licensing,
• analysis of the state of the LGU’s cyber security, as well as ensuring the cyber security of local government IT systems.

Yet another element is the Nationwide Education Network programme, an initiative bringing free, fast and secure internet access to all schools across Poland.