Children, and their families, who have no home based access to either computer or internet technology are the beneficiaries of the scheme. CFEC provides eligible children and their families with a computer and software, internet connection, access to a help desk and training…

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Our Model

The CFEC Project in Australia is modelled on the very successful project of the same name, which has been in existence in Israel since 1995. The Australian pilot (Phase One of CFEC) commenced rolling out computers to participating families in late 2006 and will continue to run for 2 ½ years. The pilot involves the provision of internet-connected computers to disadvantaged families for use in their home. Eligible families have children enrolled in Grades 3, 4 & 5 in Government Primary Schools located primarily in Melbourne’s Western suburbs and Koorie Education P-12 located in four campus’ within Victoria. The home based computer will support students with their school work and, at the same time, provide access for family members to internet services and programs which might be beneficial for future education and employment opportunities.

Our Objectives

CFEC’s Objective is to enable participants develop computer literacy skills whilst also:

• enabling adult-child engagement, family and schools/community group engagement and related social benefits;
• assisting participating students achieve improved educational engagement and educational outcomes
• increasing access to information and communications technology (ICT) in the targeted communities for the pilot project.

Next Steps

Subject to a successful pilot focussing on Government schools in the western suburbs initiated in November 2006, CFEC expects to roll out across the rest of Victoria and then Australia. The vision is to supply computers to tens of thousands of specifically in need children and their families across Australia.

The Opportunity

The Computer For Every Child Project (CFEC) provides an exciting opportunity for Government, business and philanthropic sectors to ensure that children and their families gain access to the future through technology.

Measuring Our Results

Early results from an Independent university based evaluation indicates the project is making a major difference to the lives of participating children and their families. It is having a positive impact on individuals’ confidence levels – both adult and child, and the computer skills of other family members. It is anticipated that the improved confidence and computer skills will provide a catalyst for study or employment.

In Conclusion

We believe it will help build the social, educational and economic capital of Victoria and the nation. It will be a significant building block in the aim to bridge the “digital divide” and provide new, exciting options for communities.

Our mission

is to bridge the “digital

divide” that exists

between those who have

very limited access and

those who have ample

access to computer and

internet technology in our

increasingly knowledge-

based economy.