A CHESHIRE MP believes online learning is now here to stay and is urging the Government to help make it work for every child.

For the second time in the past 12 months, schools are currently closed to all pupils except the vulnerable youngsters and the children of key workers.

Lessons are being delivered online, but Esther McVey says ‘we need to adapt quickly’ to make sure children from disadvantaged backgrounds are able to access education as much as their peers.

The Tatton MP told Parliament: “2021 must be remembered for the year that online standards for education are set.

“If schools are to be closed and pupils to be at home then pupils need to have devices on which they get their lessons, a reliable network coverage which schooling can be delivered and a secure platform.

“We also need to have a set curriculum and there needs to be oversight and support for those pupils and structured feedback loop of pupils to teachers.

“You cannot have lockdown and closures and no full-time alternatives at the ready.”

Ms McVey says teachers, unions and the Government should work together to provide a ‘a full and accessible online curriculum’ for all youngsters – and pointed towards the Open University as an example of online excellence.

She says resources could be used to help pupils catch up who have been sick, while those who excel in certain subjects could do extra learning and the 60,000 pupils home schooled pre pandemic could benefit.

The Conservative also urged Government to reinstate its manifesto pledge for 1gb broadband capability to everyone by 2025 to end the ‘division in provision’.

In a statement, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The last thing any Education Secretary wants to do is close schools and this is not a decision that the government ever wanted to take.

“But the closing of schools for the majority of pupils does not mean the end of their education.

“Schools and colleges are much better prepared to deliver online learning – with the delivery of a million devices well underway, data support and high-quality video lessons available via the Oak National Academy.”

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