A tertiary provider has described the Technology Access Fund for Learners (TAFL) as ‘exceedingly helpful’ to keep learners engaged in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown.

In May, the Government announced the $20 million fund making digital devices and internet connections available to support eligible tertiary learners continue their education.

Josephine Do of Crown Institute of Studies said 52 percent of their students are of Pacific ethnicity and 19 percent are Māori. 

“We know from experience and independent research that Pacific households are more likely to lack access to IT devices and the internet,” Jo said. 

“So it was pleasing that with the help of the TAFL, 70 percent of the Chromebooks we sourced were loaned to Pacific students and 7 percent went to Māori students,” Jo added.

With five new enrolments during lockdown, having the Chromebooks available was vital to the establishment of the learning relationship. “If we hadn’t delivered the Chromebooks to them at that critical time we would have lost them,” Jo said. Students were grateful for the support and relieved that they had access to technology so they could continue with their studies.

TAFL allocations have been made to 86 Tertiary Education Providers (TEOs) to a value of $12.6 million. As at 24 June 2020, they have expended $5.4 million with 5,187 learners receiving support from the fund and over 6,400 hardware, software and connection support provided. Funding has provided support to 1,073 Māori learners, 831 Pacific learners, and 419 learners with disabilities.

See list of TEOs who have received TAFL funding.