School kids "Modems" distribution

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1705 posts

Uber Geek

#2502543 10-Jun-2020 20:14

Oblivian:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12338500

Bit of an oopsy coming to light now

Principals have slated an $87 million scheme to provide IT equipment to children during lockdown as a "disaster" and a waste of money.

Look at most of the principals quoted.

Auckland Grammar

Macleans college

Rangitoto College

All of which would not hesitate to take pot shots at any labour government (the first two are want to be private schools).

Not saying mistakes weren't made, but from the sounds of it it is more of a distribution error based on misinformation and is in the process of being rectified.

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Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2502550 10-Jun-2020 20:31

The one announced 9th of april had the figure being referenced

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/covid19-government-moving-quickly-roll-out-learning-home

“We’ve fast-tracked immediate emergency funding of $87.7 million to fund these measures and to provide ongoing nationwide access to online teaching and learning for all scenarios. Further additional funding might be required.

What sparked it was one of Mike Hoskings kids was shortlisted. Of all people.

The original before the earlier article being

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12338660

Technofreak

6530 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2502557 10-Jun-2020 20:52

Your tax dollars ~~at work~~ being wasted

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nzkc

1572 posts

Uber Geek

#2502577 10-Jun-2020 21:38

In the grand scheme of things this is small fry and nothing but a media beat up. And yeah I think a bit of bashing by the right wing. Clearly the government were planning and expecting us to be in lockdowns for a lot longer than transpired. The goal to get all students on line is an admirable one and something I basically support. My kids (primary) school sent a survey asking what we had available and it was clearly designed to work out what they needed to ask the Ministry for. We personally dont need any IT equipment but I'm happy to pay for less fortunate families to get on line. Especially in the higher level lockdowns.

The simple solution to this problem is to send the modems/routers back to the MoE. There's little need to go to the press about that. For all we know the MoE asked schools for some figures, the schools gave them and the MoE based the requirements for modems off that. If that were the case then its the school's fault for not collecting the data correctly.

TLDR: I really dont see this as a big deal.

quickymart

13948 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2502593 10-Jun-2020 22:32

Even Mike Hosking, who knows everything about everything, is complaining his kids were on the list to receive a free modem, although he could probably buy 100 of them on his own.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12338660

ben28

190 posts

Master Geek

#2502672 11-Jun-2020 07:02

Could it be that one of the criteria the schools used was lack of school fees payment or late payment. The school therefore used this criteria to add names to the list , as better to be safe than sorry . Just a silly idea of mine :), but did it happen??

blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#2502674 11-Jun-2020 07:11

ben28:
Could it be that one of the criteria the schools used was lack of school fees payment or late payment. The school therefore used this criteria to add names to the list , as better to be safe than sorry . Just a silly idea of mine :), but did it happen??

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old3eyes

9119 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2502750 11-Jun-2020 09:17

linw:

But I am struggling how these routers/"modems" help the poor with no Internet access???

If their house has an Internet connection, why do they need a router from the guvment?

Call me confused. What am I missing?

The ones I saw on the news last nite were Skinny wireless routers so no cable connection required as long as you have cell access.

Regards,

Old3eyes

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2502752 11-Jun-2020 09:18

old3eyes:

linw:

But I am struggling how these routers/"modems" help the poor with no Internet access???

If their house has an Internet connection, why do they need a router from the guvment?

Call me confused. What am I missing?

The ones I saw on the news last nite were Skinny wireless routers so no cable connection required as long as you have cell access.

Vocus were also doing a large amount of connections. So you'd assume fixed line from them.

yitz

2075 posts

Uber Geek

#2502779 11-Jun-2020 10:08

ben28:

Could it be that one of the criteria the schools used was lack of school fees payment or late payment. The school therefore used this criteria to add names to the list , as better to be safe than sorry . Just a silly idea of mine :), but did it happen??

More likely reveals all those students who don't actually reside at their registered residence for school zoning reasons ...

blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#2502800 11-Jun-2020 11:01

linw:

But I am struggling how these routers/"modems" help the poor with no Internet access???

If their house has an Internet connection, why do they need a router from the guvment?

Call me confused. What am I missing?

From the article

The Government earmarked much of an $87.7 million Covid-19 education package to giving computers and free six-month internet packages to 82,000 homes with school-aged children that were not online when the country went into lockdown on March 25.

The $87 million includes the 6 months of internet connection.

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linw

2849 posts

Uber Geek

#2502811 11-Jun-2020 11:13

Ah, thanks, blackjack.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#2502831 11-Jun-2020 12:03

antonknee:

So a poorly managed process (no doubt because of the rush) but not the end of the world. From the article:

"Modems not required can be returned and reallocated. If in cases the modem/router wasn't required, it won't be wasted - either another household will use it or we will return it," [Ministry of Education chief digital officer] said.

Chief digital officer needs to be investigated for buying hopelessly overpriced consumer routers!! This is what happens when you spend other peoples money.

yitz

2075 posts

Uber Geek

#2502841 11-Jun-2020 12:20

That $87 million figure will include not only supply of laptops/devices but an assortment of printed materials such as workbooks and the TV channel. I would think internet connections and modems would be further down the list in terms of expense.

Would be interesting to see what might come out of this re provision of devices and workbooks to students into the future.

linw

2849 posts

Uber Geek

#2502905 11-Jun-2020 13:38

Watch out for these spiky routers on TM!!

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