Published Date: Aug 21st, 2025
The rollout of personal digital devices to thousands of school pupils throughout Fife is officially under way.
As part of Fife Council’s Transforming Learning initiative, every learner in P6 to S6 will receive an iPad, revolutionising the learning experience for over 30,000 young people across Fife’s 132 primary schools, 18 high schools and five special schools.
Young people at Viewforth High School in Kirkcaldy were the first to receive their iPads today, marking the start of a phased programme which will see more than 35,000 devices distributed across the region’s schools between now and Easter 2026.
The project is a key part of our Transforming Learning Fife strategy, which is set to equip students and their teachers with the devices and skills needed to transform the ways we engage with learning and remove digital inequity.
Since 2016, 10 Scottish councils have rolled out similar programmes, with clear benefits such as improved attendance, increased engagement, positive family feedback, and enhanced digital skills for both teachers and students.
Councillor Cara Hilton, Spokesperson – Education, Fife Council, said: "We need to make a digital shift in learning now to realise our commitment to building a better future for Fife's children.
“Our 'Transforming Learning in Fife' strategy is a major step towards enabling more quality interactive and engaging experiences for our both students and teachers.
“It is vital we give our young people the tools that will help them learn in a form that suits them and to provide opportunities for them to thrive.
“This is part of our ongoing ambition to improve educational outcomes and ensure that every young person has the tools and digital skills needed to thrive in today’s tech-driven society.”
iPads will be used in schools to enhance learning experiences, improve digital literacy, and provide access to a wide range of educational resources. They offer interactive lessons, personalised learning opportunities, and can support students with special needs. iPads can also streamline workflows for teachers, saving time on administration and assessment.
Benefits of the project include:
- Inclusion and access
Devices ensure every young person, regardless of background, has access to learning anytime, anywhere.
- Engagement through technology
Learning will be more engaging, creative, and accessible.
- Personalised learning for all
Built-in accessibility features cater to diverse learning needs, making it easier for pupils to learn in ways that suit them.
- Preparing for the digital future
Teachers and pupils will gain essential digital skills to use technology effectively and to thrive in today’s tech-driven society.
- Supporting teachers
Digital skills streamline lesson delivery and provide digital tools for assessment, allowing more time for personalised student support.
The physical rollout of iPads will ensure students and educators are equipped with the tools and skills needed for success, but the programme has also been backed by significant investment in professional learning for staff to truly transform the learning experience in Fife.
Donald Macleod, Executive Director, Education, Fife Council, explained: “Fife’s vision for Transforming Learning focuses more on the ‘teach’ than the ‘tech’.”
“It’s about how this investment can transform the core of our work as an education service and truly transforming the everyday teaching and learning experience of all of our young people here in Fife - whilst importantly still retaining the unique contribution that each subject discipline has to offer in creating the broad, generally educated young Scot that we aspire to.”
“Musical instruments will still be played; practical hands-on science experiments will still be undertaken; fieldwork and outdoor learning will still feature; recipes will still be followed; games and sports will still be played and enjoyed; and books will still be felt, held and read.”
“For us, it’s essentially about how technology augments, complements, enhances and enriches all of that activity for all of young people and staff.”
By providing a device that goes home with the child, families will also be digitally connected to their child's learning, improving engagement and involvement.
Schools will keep parents and carers up-to-date as the iPad rollout progresses, but a new Transforming Learning in Fife website has been set up to provide more information on the project: Transforming Learning in Fife – Connected Consistent Confident Creative.
The site also contains a FAQ section which aims to provide quick, accessible answers to common questions which staff, pupils, parents and carers may have about the Transforming Learning programme: Frequently Asked Questions – Transforming Learning in Fife.
A video featuring interviews and staff receiving their iPads during a session at Balwearie High School earlier this year is available to view and share via: https://youtu.be/YUgUBuLvOmw
Our main group photo shows (left to right) Cllr Kathleen Leslie, Convener - Education Scrutiny Committee; Cllr David Ross, Fife Council Leader; Donald Macleod, Executive Director, Education, Fife Council; Cllr Cara Hilton, Spokesperson – Education, Fife Council; and Cllr Ian Cameron, Convener - Kirkcaldy Area Committee.
