“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Queensland Department of Education (DoE) to increase the ICT payment of for hardware and internet services.”
As online learning has become more central to education for remote students, most students now require two screens: one for their schoolwork and another to display their teacher or lesson content. This has created a need for additional hardware, which exceeds the $400 allowance currently provided. Dual screens are essential for effective online learning, especially in Schools of Distance Education classrooms where students must engage with both the curriculum and live instructional content.
The current allowances of $400 for hardware and $500 for internet do not adequately cover the increased expenses associated with modern remote learning technology. With the rising costs of hardware, including the need for additional devices (such as dual screens, headsets, and other peripherals), as well as the higher cost of internet services, families are being forced to subsidise these expenses themselves.
The increased cost of technology and internet services should not prevent remote students from accessing a quality education. Providing a higher ICT payment would help alleviate the financial burden on families, ensuring that all students have the necessary tools to engage in their online learning effectively.
The current NT internet subsidy is $2,088 annually.
