THE Hereford Times has reported this week that some schools are asking parents to pay for iPads for their children - some of which are as young as four.

Of course, all parents want the best for their children and for them to have the best education that they can get.

Technology is improving all the time, and there is no doubt that computers and tablets do help with education.

But, for children as young as four?

I just don't see the logic.

Children that age are just about learning to read and write, so to stick an iPad under their noses is, in my opinion too much.

Parents who have children at seven of the Herefordshire Marches Federation of Academies, plus St Thomas Cantilupe Primary and St Paul’s CE Academy, were given a week to join the Herefordshire Apple Tree Project for children between the ages of four and 11.

Peter Box, one of three headteachers in charge of the Herefordshire Marches Federation of Academies (HMFA) schools, says that parents ‘are not forced’ to take part and that they wanted to roll out the idea before Christmas.

But, I share some parents’ concerns about their children missing out if they don't have an iPad.

A number won't be able to afford one.

Parents would have to pay £16.66 a month for an iPad Air with an optional final payment of £57.64 if they want to keep the iPad.

And, for the iPad mini, parents would pay £12.22 per month with an optional end payment of £38.48. It costs more to add protective casing.

And there are also security fears.

We hear stories about youngsters' having expensive mobile phones stolen, so what is to say that someone would not target their iPad if they were carrying one?

And, a number of children would not know how to handle one.

Would the tablets be insured if a child broke one?

I applaud the schools for looking at ways to improve pupils' education and to embrace technology, but I feel this is a step too far.

What do you think?

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