What does Covid-19 reveal about educational inequality, specifically regarding the digital divide in the UK?

The Covid-19 pandemic has primarily affected the education sector worldwide, forcing schools to adapt their practices to the online space emergently. The issue of the digital divide, namely, the gaps between socio-economically different groups in relation to their access to ICTs and the Internet (OECD, 2001), is urgently raised concerning the inequalities that it entails. OECD (2020) has reported that, both around the UK and the globe, the proportion of students from lower-socio-economic profile (UK: 81%; OECD average: 78%) is 11% lower than the average of the population (UK: 92%; OECD average: 89%) in terms of the accessibility to ICTs at home. This podcast aims to explore how COVID-19 reveals the problem of educational inequality, amplified by the existing digital divide, both within the UK and around the globe. The podcast first introduces audiences to the concept of the digital divide. The situations of educational inequality in the UK and around Europe are followed, with the UK condition being reflected by an interview with two A-level students from different socio-economic backgrounds. After commenting on the interviews, the podcast uncovers the multifaceted nature of the digital divide and offers potential solutions. By suggesting alternative interpretations of the impact of the pandemic, the podcast ends by leaving audiences space for independent reflections.