Bridging the Digital Divide
Posted on 04. Jun, 2020, in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Schools1 Comment
Tiernan O’Neill has spent over 12 years working in Corpus Christi primary school in Moyross, as a class teacher, home-school-community liaison co-ordinator and now Principal. He has seen first hand the devastating consequences of poverty and educational underachievement, but Covid-19 has led to increased difficulties.
The lack of broadband and laptops is creating a “digital divide” between affluent areas and some of his charges in Corpus Christi, he says.
“Kids just aren’t able to engage,” O’Neill explains. “In a lot of the homes, there is overcrowding, with as many as twelve living in one house.”
Some of his 350 children continue to get school-provided meals, which is now offering parcels of non-perishable food. O’Neill worries about the lasting psychological wounds that Covid-19 might leave behind on his pupils, saying that for some students, school is their safe place.
Moyross has a connection with Dalkey parish and Amelia Nelson-Sisinni set up a gofundme page to raise money to purchase tablets so that the students can remain connected.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/corpus-christi-primary-school-moyross
He explains more to Miriam Gormally.
A shining example of inspired solidarity in action,well worth supporting.