As thousands of children return to school this week, a survey by national children's charity, The Smith Family, has revealed a startling disparity between the educational resources adults believe are essential for school children's success, compared with the reality.

A Newspoll survey of 1,200 Australian adults across all socio-economic backgrounds revealed 94 percent of respondents believe it is either very important (73 percent) or somewhat important (21 percent) that children have a computer in the home.

In reality only 52 percent of school-aged children have a computer in the home according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics1, leaving the have-nots at a disadvantage when completing homework or conducting research.

The survey coincides with The Smith Family's Back to School Appeal, which aims to give disadvantaged children access to the resources and support they may otherwise go without, often leading to isolation and exclusion.

Ninety-eight percent of respondents regarded as important having a parent or carer available regularly to help school children with homework. However, Chief Executive Officer of The Smith Family, Elaine Henry, said many parents of disadvantaged families have been disconnected from the education system and are not in a position to assist their children in this way.

"Many of the parents we support left school when they were young due to family or social pressures. Knowing the lifelong detrimental effects of that decision, they strongly value education, but simply don't have the skills or confidence to assist their children academically," she said.

"Unfortunately this can put children at a significant disadvantage as they attempt to keep up with peers who may have access to parental assistance and tutoring."

The survey also revealed:

• 93 per cent of respondents believe a child's ability to attend school excursions is important;

• 97 per cent believe a student's ability to participate in extracurricular activities, such as music, or school sport is either very important, or somewhat important;

• 98 per cent agree it is important for children to have books in the home

• 84 per cent regard as important a child having a complete school uniform.

"Unfortunately the reality is that in Australia today 680,000 children are living in households where no parent is employed2, which often means a lack of access to these basic school essentials which others may take for granted," said Ms Henry.  

"A family's financial situation can place children at a disadvantage even before they have begun school, and it can most certainly leave them vulnerable to exclusion and isolation among peers as they get older."

The Back to School Appeal aims to generate 3,000 new sponsors for disadvantaged Australian children, giving them access to a range of literacy, numeracy and emotional support opportunities, as well as financial support for essential educational resources.

Child sponsorship costs less than $1 per day and is fully tax deductible. To sponsor an Australian child visit http://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/ or call 1800 024 069.

1ABS data available on request. Survey of Income and Housing. 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4102.0 Australian Social Trends, 2009