COUNCILLORS are calling for action to bridge the digital divide which could be hitting homeschooling opportunities for schoolchildren in Crewe.

With schools closing their doors to most pupils after last Monday's lockdown announcement the availability of technology, including laptops and good quality broadband, is under scrutiny.

The UK's Communications regulator Ofcom estimates up to 1.8 million households with children in them do not have access to a laptop.

Now a group of councillors have launched an initiative to ensure all school pupils in Crewe are provided with the devices and tools they need for remote learning during the pandemic.

They have written to the head of every school in the town offering them support, as well as local MP Kieran Mullan, while they are asking for donations of unused or unwanted laptops and tablets.

Cllr Sally Handley, who represents the St. Barnabas ward, said: "The effort from teachers to turn around face-to-face lesson plans to virtual teaching in a matter of hours was a humbling testament to the hard-work, dedication and care they show our children. But many families do not have the required number of devices for their children to be able to join these lessons from the safety of their homes, with some families having none.

"There is gross inequality in some parts of Crewe compared to other areas, one school was given just 17 laptops during the full lockdown last year. It's not fair and it's not good enough."

A Facebook Group called Lockdown Laptops for Home Learning in Crewe & Nantwich has been started to help with the initial aim of securing 100 devices for pupils in need.

A GoFundMe page could be set up to raise cash to buy devices from local businesses and parts to refurbish broken donated devices. The Labour councillors have been in contact with local IT businesses, including Nantwich Computer Consultant , which is offering its services.

Crewe South councillor Laura Smith said: "If anybody has any unused or unwanted laptops or tablets, please get in touch with your school through the Facebook page".

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told Parliament last week that parents should report schools to Ofsted if the remote learning they are being offered is not good enough.

If anyone can donate devices or offer technical support go to the Facebook page here.