A woman whose son attends a school where iPads are mandatory has said the cost of buying the devices is a “huge burden” on families. 

The Government introduced free school books for primary school in 2023 and extended to most secondary school pupils last year. 

However, many teachers are increasingly reliant on tech to teach their classes and there is no budget for expensive digital devices. 

“When my son started first year in secondary school, we had to buy an iPad and the associated software and all of the keyboard, the cover and all that stuff,” listener Eimear told Lunchtime Live. 

“So, it was well over €800 upfront to start - a huge amount of money.

“Back then when he started first year, the free secondary school books hadn't come in - so, that was on top of school books.” 

Eimear continued that the iPad has required maintenance every now and again, but hopes it will last another few years. 

“[If]  you spread [the cost] out over the six years, that's grand - except that you have to pay it all at the beginning,” she said. 

“So, that's a huge burden. 

“Then if parents have the next child coming a year or two later, they have to pay that again for each one.

“It's a burden on families and parents that don't have that sort of money.”

Eimear added that the Free Books Scheme is "brilliant" for reducing costs - but does nothing to cover devices. 

“Everybody had to buy it, it was mandatory,” she said. 

“You couldn't access the class, you couldn't access learning if you didn't have it.

“Now the school did put out in the newsletter to [tell] families that had financial difficulties to get in touch with them. 

“So, that was their own private thing and I don't know what they did.”

Main image: Children using iPads in classroom with teacher. Picture by: Michael Folmer / Alamy Stock Photo