Closing the digital divide in education requires sustainable and strategic technology investment
The digital divide in education remains a persistent barrier to student success. While some institutions benefit from reliable, up-to-date devices and robust connectivity, others struggle with outdated equipment and inconsistent access. Gary Day, Group Director for Public Sector at Apogee, argues that rethinking procurement and funding models is essential to ensure every student can participate fully in a technology-driven learning environment.
In today’s digitally-driven world, technology is no longer a luxury, it’s a key element of the whole teaching and learning experience. Schools, colleges, and universities need reliable, up-to-date IT resources - not just to keep pace, but to ensure every student has the best chance to fulfill their potential.
Yet, with budgets stretched tight, many education institutions struggle to provide consistent access to the tools necessary for modern learning. The gap between well-funded schools and those with limited resources remains wide, and until this digital inequality is addressed, progress for many students will remain difficult.
The disparity is more than hypothetical. Despite ongoing investments, including a recent £45 million government boost aimed at improving connectivity, the challenge of equipping students with the right devices continues. With the Department for Education’s (DfE) consultation on narrowing the digital divide in schools and colleges having recently drawn to a close, it’s clear that fresh thinking is needed to tackle technology access - and fast.
For years, the conversation around technology in education has focused on digital transformation. Yet, the current purchasing and support systems remain geared toward short-term fixes rather than sustainable progress, especially for institutions with fewer resources. This disconnect has made true transformation elusive, and it’s time for that to change.
The hidden cost of short-term fixes
Facing financial constraints, many schools and colleges turn to stopgap measures, either relying on outdated devices, or purchasing equipment only as funds allow, often one term at a time. While this approach can seem practical in the moment, it undermines long-term success. The effects go beyond budgets - they impact students’ learning experiences, digital skill development and, ultimately, even their readiness for the workforce.
This raises questions about fairness and opportunity. Students in well-equipped institutions benefit from consistent, secure technology and the ability to engage fully with online learning. Meanwhile, others fall behind, widening social and educational inequalities.
Viewing technology spending as optional rather than essential infrastructure is a costly mistake. When schools stretch device lifespans or buy only incrementally, they risk higher support costs, lost teaching time due to malfunctioning equipment, and greater exposure to security threats. The true cost of these short-term savings can be significant and long-lasting.
Rethinking how technology is funded and managed
To effectively close the digital divide, education institutions must reconsider how they fund and manage technology investments. Traditional procurement methods, which often focus on short-term purchases, fail to provide consistent digital access. It is clear that there needs to be a shift to strategic and sustainable solutions.
Innovative leasing and subscription models offer significant benefits in this context. By moving from outright ownership to sustainable leasing, schools can access high-performing, secure and up-to-date devices consistently. Sustainability certifications, such as Blue Angel, further enhance the environmental and financial viability of these models.
Manufacturers and managed service providers are increasingly adopting tailored, partnership-driven approaches rather than engaging in transactional relationships. Providers now offer comprehensive packages that include device deployment, proactive monitoring, ongoing maintenance and timely upgrades. Reward and cashback mechanisms further encourage institutions to adopt these collaborative solutions.
This results in more institutions having greater access to the latest technology. At the same time, many are relieved of the time-consuming chores of device management. Institutions can spread costs and receive hundreds of new laptops rather than installing them in stages, while device management becomes more efficient thanks to applications such as dashboards demonstrating the performance and status of all an organization’s devices, wherever they are.
Closing the digital divide requires collective responsibility and collaboration. Education institutions alone cannot shoulder the burden. Technology providers, education leaders, government bodies, and the private sector must form partnerships that prioritize digital inclusion from funding decisions to ongoing support.
Ultimately, achieving digital equity demands bold procurement strategies and a genuine commitment from technology providers to move beyond the role of suppliers and become strategic partners. These partnerships should focus on long-term outcomes, ensuring that investments in technology translate into meaningful and sustained benefits for learners. Only through this kind of forward-thinking collaboration can educational institutions guarantee that every student, regardless of background, has equal opportunities to thrive in an increasingly digitalized world.
