TORONTO — The Ontario government announced today it has partnered with Rogers Communications and Apple to help meet the educational needs of students and families in need during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The province announced Friday iPads are being purchased and distributed by Ontario school boards, pre-equipped with free Rogers LTE wireless data, to students in need. Apple is providing on-going support in French and English to teachers, parents and students, with a collection of resources to support learning and working from home, as well.
“This important partnership will enable students to learn while making technology accessible for those that truly need it,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, in the press release. The government wants to make sure every child – no matter their ability, geography or socio-economic circumstance – can continue learning while schools are closed.
Lecce also told the press conference Friday afternoon the provincial government will make sure all Ontario high schools are broadband-connected by this coming September and elementary schools by September 2021.
Ontario school boards began distributing 21,000 iPads to students who don’t have either the technology or the internet they need to access the Learn at Home program. School boards will decide who will get the technology. Rogers Communications is providing free wireless data to those iPads until the end of June. The devices arrive pre-set up so users do not need to contact the company.
Apple is also providing “videos, apps and books to help teachers build engaging lessons for students at home, along with fun and creative activities that kids and families can do with the built-in features of iPad. Apple is also offering teachers free one-to-one virtual coaching by Apple Professional Learning Specialists,” reads the release.
In addition to the free wireless data, Rogers is also working with Ontario school boards to provide high-speed, low-cost internet to subsidized tenants and members of housing partners across Ontario through its Connected for Success program ($9.99/month broadband) and the Government of Canada Connecting Families initiative.
“For some of the most vulnerable members of our society, accessing online learning tools at home is an added burden at a time when there is already a lot of stress,” said Dean Prevost, president, Rogers for Business. “Rogers is pleased to be working alongside the Ontario Government, Apple and school boards across the province to help close the digital divide for some of our most vulnerable young people and their families.”
Rogers is also providing Internet connectivity through fixed wireless access at no cost to seven homeless shelters in Toronto, to help support access to online education for students living in those shelters. 
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 that require an internet connection for the Learn at Home program can now get on-line from their rooms in these facilities.
Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to the announcement in a tweet by saying “we are glad to work alongside Ontario’s Ministry of Education and school boards to help students access the technology they need to stay connected and #LearnAtHome.”
Photo borrowed from Rogers website is a shot of an employee’s son.
