Chromebook for every P6-S6 pupil in Fife – this is how much it will cost council

The ambitious plan is estimated to cost the council between £13 million and £16 million at a time when finances are already tough, but council leader David Ross (Labour) said the investment is being done on an “essential” basis.

“Things are not easy at the moment, but we don’t regard this as a nice to have, we regard this as essential for learning,” Cllr Ross said. "Unless there is a significant further cut I think we are all determined to find a way to make this happen."

The plans would see 1:1 devices distributed to more than 30,000 students in Fife starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

According to the council, the “ambitious digital learning strategy will integrate technology into the classroom and ensure learners are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an increasingly connected world”.

The SNP Government previously promised to fund 1:1 digital devices for all pupils in Scotland as part of their 2021 Holyrood manifesto. However, the government rolled back on that promise in March.

Fife’s education scrutiny convener, Councillor Kathleen Leslie (Burntisland, Kinghorn & Western Kirkcaldy, Conservative) called the Scottish Government’s position “disappointing” but said Fife’s young people cannot be allowed to fall behind those in other local authorities while waiting for funds.

Cllr Ross added: “It will take significant investment and we don’t yet know where the money is coming from, but we’re determined to find it. That’ll be addressed during the budget process, but it will be our number one priority for new investment as we go.”

The council leader and Fife’s education team emphasised that the £13-16 million price tag is just a ballpark figure.

According to Craig Martin, the lead officer on the transforming learning project, teams are still trying to work out the best deal possible for the council. At this stage, the business case and full cost appraisal is still being developed. It will be fully considered and fleshed out as part of the 2025/26 budget process.

If and when it is endorsed, the council is planning for 1:1 digital device roll-out to begin in May 2025 onwards, starting with teachers, followed by a phased distribution to P6 to S6 pupils from August 2025.

As the council sees it, the key benefits include: accessibility, flexibility and on-the-go, independent learning for students; improved engagement and attainment; accessibility features that “ cater to diverse learning needs”; preparing students for the “digital future”; and supporting staff and teachers, allowing them to reduce admin tasks and focus on student support.

“I think if we want to transform our learning and improve attainment, which unfortunately I think has plateaued a bit recently, then we need to get on making the shift to digital approach for our young people sooner rather than later,” Cllr Ross said.

“Unfortunately the Scottish Government has rolled back their plans to invest in some of this, but we can’t wait for money to come in. We need to be putting it in ourselves. There are a number of other councils ahead of us.”

He added: “We don’t want our young people getting left behind in this transition.”

> The student response

There are currently 1:1 device trials at Woodmill and St Columba’s high schools in Dunfermline, which students and councillors alike have praised.

“I’ve got two kids here at Woodmill. They got chromebooks about two and half years ago and it’s been absolutely transformative in terms of being able to do homework, revise for exams, and just being able to learn wherever they are,” education spokesperson Councillor Cara Hilton (Labour) said.

Woodmill High students Liam Shaw and Adman Muhammad (S6) both agree that their chromebooks have improved their learning.

“Before I had to use my phone for homework because I didn’t have a computer at home, but now with the chromebook it makes life so much easier and I’ve reduced missing homework because I can actually access it easier," Adman said.

Liam agreed: “It’s made learning more accessible because you can have it on the go, you can do stuff at home, you can access OneDrive and get work that wasn’t accessible before.”

He added: “I don’t have a computer at home so studying for the final exams last year, it gave me something to use, it made things much easier and helped get my grades up.”

For now, the council is working to develop the full business case for the tablet proposals. Councillors will need to figure out funding and evaluate the proposals as part of the 2025/26 budget process in the coming months.