Thanks to the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund, Great Plains College has received $74,200 to benefit students with the provision of laptops.The fund is in partnership with the United Way Regina and the United Way of Saskatoon and Area. 

Keleah Ostrander, Director of learner services and adult basic education says that in the spring with the sudden switch to alternate delivery of education it was apparent families did not have the tech assistance required to be successful in academics.

Ostrander adds they wanted to be better prepared for the fall.

“So moving into the fall under the continuing pandemic umbrella we wanted to mke sure our students that have barriers, were provided technology to be successful for the portion of that program completed from a distance.”

In addition, Ostrander says that COVID-19 has forced all of us to rethink education. Most programs being offered in a blended format in which part is face to face but also an expectation of learning from a distance. If you dont have the tech support to do so, it’s hard to keep up and progress in academics. 

Osrander details how much the Swift Current Campus will be receiving specifically. 

“I can tell you that yes the Swift Current Campus will receive approximatley $20,000 for adult basic education, so we anticipate supporting approximatley 40 students. 

This funding is also beneficial to those living outside the communities of Swift Current and Maple Creek. Access to technology may be difficult for them or the weather may not be good and so technology can be that bridge to the classroom to ensure progress. 

An additional 40 students will also be support on the Maple Creek campus thanks to the funding.