The Department of Education begins this week the distribution of more than 1 000 internet connections and 600 new equipment, including computers, tablets and cell phones, in order to reduce the digital gap, that hinder a small percentage of the students to access online training, organized by non-university education institutions, due to the suspension of in-person teaching.

The EDP Foundation has donated more than 460 new devices, worth 200 000 euros, to the Principality of Asturias. The Asturian Government, for its part, has enabled more than 1 000 internet connections through the General Direction of Digital Strategy.

Equipment and connections will be aimed, firstly, at students in high school, vocational training (FP) and end-of-cycle courses (4th ESO and 6th grade of primary school), that lack the means of continuing the course online. The equipment is sent to city councils, together with the necessary documentation to receive, guard and distribute the devices among families. All shipments are accredited and registered in order to return the borrowing once the need is fulfilled.

These new resources join the more than 7 500 informatic devices (including computers and tablets) suitable to be used, that the educational institutions have and already distribute among their student body to alleviate shortages. Cruz Roja Spain has offered its support and collaboration to solve the difficulties that may come up in the distribution of these resources. Its volunteer staff will deliver the material to homes on a biweekly basis for as long as the health crisis lasts.