Digital technologies and connectivity hold the
key to unlocking the true potential of Africa's young people. By opening up new
opportunities for African youth to learn and for teachers to connect with
students in the most remote and rural communities, these resources play an
integral role in improving African education systems. But only if the right
support mechanisms and policies are in place.
This
is one of the key points highlighted in new research by Vodacom Group, Vodafone, and Safaricom, launched in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The
research paper, entitled "How digital technologies can transform
education in sub-Saharan Africa" unpacks the current state of
education across the continent. It showcases how digital technologies and
connectivity, combined with the necessary regulatory frameworks and support
from governments as well as industry stakeholders, can be leveraged to mitigate
barriers to education across the continent.
The
research report outlines that there has been a sharp increase in access to
education across Africa in the last 50 – 60 years but, unfortunately, an
increase in access doesn't necessarily translate into a rise in the quality of
education being delivered. When coupled with affordable and reliable
connectivity, digital tools and technologies offer a cost-effective and scalable
solution to this problem by making it possible for young people to connect with
highly-skilled educators who can help them translate educational content into
valuable knowledge.
"We have witnessed this first-hand
via our ecosystem of education projects and initiatives, which seek to provide
access to quality educational assets, support remote learning and seek to
enhance the overall educational experience for teachers and learners in some of
Africa's most under-resourced communities," says Shameel Joosub,
CEO of Vodacom Group.
"Our Vodacom e-School programme in
South Africa is a prime example of this", he adds. The initiative promotes
digital education by providing free access to quality education for Primary and
High School students (Grade R to 12). This includes access to digital learning
materials (like interactive textbooks, multimedia content and assessments),
other educational resources and support services. The platform is available on
mobile and desktop devices, free of charge, for all Vodacom customers.
"Access to quality education is
critical to combatting intergenerational cycles of poverty and inequality.
Nelson Mandela always stressed how important education is, not only for
self-actualisation and individual transformation, but also in shifting the trajectory
of society towards equity, justice and a shared dignity," says Professor Verne
Harris, Acting CEO for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
While
there is no doubt that these digital innovations have the potential to totally
transform African education, there are a number of barriers to digital access
that prevent African youth from making the most of them. For Professor Jonathan
Jansen, an internationally renowned education expert and one of the authors of
the research paper, these stumbling blocks include everything from lack of
reliable electricity, limited technical support and lackluster Internet access
to language barriers, political instability and restrictive social norms. But
with the right policies, infrastructure and investments in place, digitalisation
can provide new opportunities for Africa's young people to enjoy a more
equitable, sustainable and connected future, he says.
"Each of these hurdles can be
overcome through the right partnerships, interventions and ecosystems.
Importantly, addressing these obstacles demands political buy-in and support
from governments to ensure that the mechanisms put in place are appropriate in
that they meet African learners and educators where they are," continues Professor
Jansen.
In
action, this means developing and implementing regulations that support digital
education, building strategic partnerships and investing in digital
infrastructure. In addition to this, African governments have to be enablers of
small-scale digital education projects and must make a concerted effort to
transform teacher training to meet the demands of digital learning.
There
is no doubt that the challenge that lies ahead is an arduous one, confirms
Joosub. "It is critical that we take
the time to understand Africa's economic, social and political environment so
that we can bring together the right stakeholders – from those at the top in
government the students in classrooms in the most remote corners of our
continent – to come up with solutions. In doing so, we can unite to fix the problems
we face as a collective so that we can ensure that our young people are
equipped with everything they need to add value to their communities and can
properly participate in the digital economy."