I have an I pod touch 1st generation it has never been used I cannot update the IOS

I Have 9 I pod touches 1st gen with IOS 2.1 that I need to update. They were given to my school. I keep getting an error that they cannot be updated. I need help. If they cannot be updated we cannot use them. What a waste of technology frp the school. I have been very disappointed with apples support for older devices. Schools are on very tight budgets and cannot afford to by the newsest versions every few years.