By Doncaster pupils to receive free glasses to close literacy gap
Approximately 9,000 students in six different areas around England will be receiving free glasses to improve their eyesight and literacy/maths skills.
The lucky pupils in Doncaster, Derby, Durham, Norwich and Breckland, and the North Yorkshire Coast will be given two pairs of free glasses each (one for school, one for home) by a vision coordinator.
This comes as part of National Eye Health Week which began on Monday 20 September.
Many children suffer from poor eyesight that goes undetected or untreated due to the cost of glasses, even with the vouchers on offer.
Data has revealed that 30 percent of pupils who need glasses have not been to an optician before.
The development is part of the Department of Education’s ‘Glasses in Classes’ scheme which reaches a minimum of 225 schools throughout England.
The project was managed by the Centre for Applied Education Research (CAER), in partnership with Bradford Opportunity Area, in a bid to remove the health barriers present in education.
It was initially trialled in Bradford at 100 different primary schools but has expanded under the Dfe’S ‘Opportunity Areas’ programme.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “As a young boy, shortly after arriving in this country, I sat at the back of the classroom with poor language skills and low confidence, struggling to engage with my lessons.
“Back then, I could never have dreamt of the opportunities this country would give me and I am determined to help every young person overcome obstacles, just as I was supported.
“Too many children still struggle with the literacy skills they need to make the most of their education.
“Simple steps like providing free glasses to those that need them so they can clearly see words on a page, for example, can help close the literacy gap and foster a love of learning.”
There are hopes that this scheme can, one day, become nationwide.
