Murupara Area School students using the new digital hub. Photo / Supplied
Murupara Area School students using the new digital hub. Photo / Supplied
Hundreds of Eastern Bay school children will be given a $24,000 helping hand to overcome the growing 'digital divide'.
The grant from BayTrust will ensure youngsters in Murupara, Kaingaroa, Te Whaiti and Galatea – many of whom do not have internet access at home – can attend digital courses free of charge at the new Regional Digital Hub which has recently opened its doors.
The Murupara-based facility was paid for by the Provincial Growth Fund and the majority of digital courses on offer will be free. However, more complex topics such as graphics, animation and content creation will require a tutor's fee which not all students can afford.
"I was so happy to receive this BayTrust funding," Digital Hub manager Ima Nuku said.
"Now no-one will miss out because they can't afford to pay. We can bring in all these programmes for our tamariki who are so eager to be here. We might need a bigger building."
Nuku said courses such as content creation would help young people understand the pathways that lead to careers in the digital tech industry. Others, such as e-sports, will provide a competitive outlet, while game designing, coding, GIS mapping, live-streaming and digital wellbeing will also be offered.
"We'll start off at level one because there are some who haven't had the privilege of being able to use any of that technology before besides a phone and Facebook."
Digital hub assistant Te Akauroa Miki (left) and manager Ima Nuku. Photo / Supplied
Nuku said the Digital Hub would open up a whole new world of opportunities for tamariki and the wider community.
It's also a great way to engage those who are at risk of dropping out of school. A 100 per cent school attendance record is required before youngsters are allowed to visit the Digital Hub and participate in the new courses.
"It's about capturing those children before they get into drugs, gangs and get up to no good. We are looking to set up an after school programme for them so they have somewhere to come without getting into trouble.
"If we can get these children on board and help them find their interest or a future career path, that's a big win."
BayTrust chief executive officer Alastair Rhodes said improving outcomes for youth is a key priority and the digital courses, run by Haututu Laboratories on behalf of Te Runanga o Ngāti Manawa, will help many children overcome the barrier of not having internet access at home.
"There are still whānau out there who are not connected to the internet which is understandable because you have to pay a monthly fee.
"Some families have lots of children so the cost of living is very high. Food and rent come first so they simply can't afford it.
"BayTrust is very pleased to be able to pay for these courses so youngsters in the Eastern Bay can obtain the digital skills they need to succeed in today's world."
BayTrust's purpose is to provide charitable, cultural, philanthropic, recreational, and other benefits to Bay of Plenty communities through accelerating bold meaningful change, assisting local communities and the environment to flourish.
