More than 800 computers or tablets have been given to families around Powys to help them learn from home.

All children in the county now have access to a computer or tablet that will allow them to access online learning, Powys Council's education boss Lynnette Lovell told the authority's cabinet.

More than 800 devices have been found across the county and given to families who don’t have them, and 500 4G dongles are due to arrive in Powys this week.

This will further help the home schooling effort giving internet access for those children who don’t have wi-fi at home.

Ms Lovell was responding to a question from council leader Rosemarie Harris, who had pointed out that councillors have problems accessing online meeting despite having all the “necessary equipment.”

Interim chief education officer Ms Lovell added: “There may however still be some that have connectivity issues and that those pupils will be provided with paper copies or resources they can use in the home.”

Ms Lovell told cabinet members how education had moved online during the coronavirus crisis and explained how children were now being taught.

She said: “The priority of the government is that children remain fit and healthy and have a positive attitude to life and be ready to work when the crisis is over.

“Nearly all pupils in our county, they are learning at home with the support and help of their parents.

“This is new territory for us all, including the teaching profession, many of whom also have their own children at home at this time.”

She said the council has produced its own distance learning plan which  put the Welsh Government’s continuity of learning plan into practice across our schools.

Children in Wales have a username and password that allows them to access the Welsh Government learning platform.

Ms Lovell added that it had been an “extremely challenging time” for all  and she was “very proud” of the work done by the teaching profession in Powys during the pandemic.