This year’s UN
International Day of Education is themed ‘Changing Course, Transforming
Education’, which reiterates the importance of education and collectively
building a progressive, sustainable space of learning.
Access to the internet and technology has the power to
change lives and bridge inequalities. Over the past two years, the
socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen several lockdowns and
has brought to the fore the heightened importance of connecting the
unconnected. The COVID-19 pandemic saw the closures of learning spaces and
schools, bringing the inequalities of the physical world to light. It
highlighted the need to enable education by driving investments towards access
to online educational platforms and learning tools.
As the world
stands at a turning point, there’s an opportunity to make technology the
foundation for sustainable learning solutions.
During the first year of the
pandemic, by understanding the challenges that millions of learners now faced
of not being able to attend school or access information, a number of MTN
markets across the continent zero-rated websites to play their part in
minimizing the disruptions that COVID-19 lockdowns caused for learners. By
partnering with governments and educational institutions MTN enabled the
zero-rating of over 1500 educational websites resulting in more than 108.6TB of
traffic through these sites.
Taking lessons from the pandemic, as
a continent or even the world, remote learning and virtual engagements has
become the norm of our everyday life. Adapting to this reality and being mindful of
the uncertainties of the future, MTN continues to focus on its intent to lead
digital solutions for Africa’s progress. We understand that in harnessing
technological change, we will realize the UN SDG goals to ensure that all
learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable
development.
Across the continent, in support of
transformation in learning, many of MTN’s markets developed viable
solutions to addressing the access gaps, in attaining and accessing educational
material. As an example, MTN South Africa launched online school in 2021. This
platform developed in partnership with the South African Department of
Education and the National Education Collaboration Trust, is loaded with
learning resources and lessons, as well as additional tools for learners. By
actively seeking solutions, working with partners, and leveraging our key
competencies as a digital operator, MTN is able to offer adaptable solutions to
meet the changing learning needs of our communities.
The landscape of education and
skills development are rapidly transforming and being accelerated by the continued
COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has in many respects changed the world as we
know it, but it too has given us the opportunity to understand the power of
digital transformation and inclusion. Children and youth in villages or remote
areas no longer need to be excluded from accessing world-class digital material
and virtual learning opportunities. Accessible, digital education means that
anywhere, anytime learning can be made available for all.
Source: MTN Group
