Bridging the Digital Equity Gap – Secondary Students
Every child deserves an equal chance for a great education and access to technology for learning will not be an educational barrier in the ACT.
The ACT Government is giving every secondary student in a Canberra public school a free Chromebook laptop starting with years 7 to 11 in term 1, 2018. By 2019, all Canberra public secondary students will have been given a device from the government.
This initiative will ensure that every secondary student in Canberra public schools has the same access to a device to enhance their learning through technology. Irrespective of family circumstances, every student will have an equal opportunity to access technology so that they can learn wherever they are and use technology whenever they need it.
More than Just a Hand Out
With student outcomes as the driver, Chromebooks will be used to help engage secondary students, enhance their learning experiences, provide them with opportunity to collaborate and discover, and in doing so produce responsible, literate and knowledgeable digital citizens.
Investment in this technology will assist students to be equipped with vital 21st century skills, alongside foundational learning and a balanced learning environment that includes physical activity and outdoor learning.
Building on Good Foundations
We are building on the success of the Learn, Anywhere program. Schools have already invested significantly in Chromebooks through their engagement with G Suite for Education and have provided positive feedback. Over 1000 public education staff have attended Google for Education professional learning events, including a range of short courses and three two-day annual Google Summits. Communities of like-minded teachers have been established to share innovative practices, ideas and resources.
With many schools already heavily invested and satisfied with the product, it makes sense to build on the foundations already in place. You can learn more about what our schools are doing with G suite for Education and Chromebooks by viewing our blog posts at Digital Schools - Our Stories 
or view Canberra Public Schools have gone Google .
Safety and Security of Information with Google
Privacy and safety of personal information is important to the ACT Education Directorate and so a full independent Privacy Impact Assessment was commissioned in 2014. This was conducted by a former Commonwealth Privacy Commissioner and has been made publicly available on the ACT Education Directorate’s Publications A-Z webpage, listed at the letter ‘G’.
Advice to Secondary Students
Chromebooks will be issued to your school and then allocated to you so you can take it home. The Chromebook is for you to use in your learning, so please ensure it is charged and ready to use each day.
Bridging the Digital Equity Gap – Primary Students
ACT public primary schools will continue to receive funding to support a minimum 1 device per 3 student ratio at school.
Further Information
The following provide information about the program. If you have queries, we encourage you to contact your school. Schools will be kept updated of the program as it progresses.
Parent Information Booklet 
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Parent Information Booklet 
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Frequently Asked Questions (76kb)
Frequently Asked Questions (279kb)