Digital Solution for Education in Africa

Regional GCE: Promoting e-learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on education revealed not only the impor- tance of digital alternatives for delivering basic education, but also the fact that these alternatives are lacking in many countries. In response, the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) worked with seven national civil society coalitions to promote in- clusive e-learning for all students in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, and Zambia. Assessing needs and advocating for inclusive digital solutions | At the beginning of 2021, GCE launched a study to assess the partner countries’ needs regarding e-learning in schools. Based on the study’s findings, GCE defined recommendations in the field of EdTech for each of the participating countries. These recommendations are derived from looking at different stakeholders such as governments, international non-governmental organisa- tions (INGOs), the private sector (especially network operators), and CSOs. Next to general suggestions on the basic education system itself, the recommendations include aspects of socioemotional and safety needs – par- ticularly for girls, children with disabilities, and children living in remote areas. To complement the study on a policy level, GCE developed recommendations and solutions for the advocacy work carried out by CSOs at national and regional levels. Thanks to the project, national education coalitions were enabled to put the topic of EdTech on the agenda of their governments. Advocacy plans have been developed which consider each specific country context. In October 2023, multistakeholder meetings and campaign launches were organised that paved the way towards bridging the digital divide and ensuring access to inclusive digital solutions in the seven partner countries. Regional 1 research seminar held with the coalitions in Johannesburg 3 webinars held with the coalitions projects simultaneously implemented in 7 countries 8 civil society partners in 7 African countries as well as regional networks supported 8 – 17 – Digital Solutions for Education in Africa