Digital Solution for Education in Africa

In the first RESICODI project, REFAC offered capacity training for teachers, school managers, and policymakers in the field of emerging technologies and media tools. To move digital basic education forward in Rwanda, REFAC was conducting two studies, one to assess existing policy guidelines on ICT in education and the other to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education sector. Based on these studies, the Ministry of Education committed to review and adapt the learning strategies to include the adoption of digital teaching approaches. Sharing knowledge and exchanging experiences were key learning activities. Learning visits to the national education coalitions of Burundi and Zambia were also conducted. A follow-up RESICODI project in 2023 has allowed REFAC to upgrade the activities successfully implemented in the first project phase. The documentation, dissemination, and popu- larisation of the ICT policy in education were at centre of this second phase, as well as the continued advocacy of the inclu- sion of digital technologies in education within the public. Working towards inclusive basic digital education When the COVID-19 pandemic led to Rwanda’s schools being closed for months, the country’s government took to delivering classes online, on TV, and on radio to try to foster the continuity of education for school pupils. The Rwanda Education For All Coalition (REFAC) is an alliance of civil society organisations seeking to ensure effective and free quality education for all. Considering the increasing role of digitalisation in basic education, REFAC built the capacities of its members and stakeholders, so they are equipped to engage in advocacy work on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education strategies. This is intended to foster greater inclusiveness and the consideration of society’s most vulnerable groups in digital basic education policies. Rwanda P2 Project implemented in this area and 5800 learners and 390 education professionals have taken part in activities to improve their digital skills 50 learners and 474 education professionals were directly reached School managers, teachers and students were equipped with digital skills in the 50 in 5 districts pilot schools located – 26 – Digital Solutions for Education in Africa “This work, it made the coalition stronger. It also built the partnership, also with the government coalitions. That was a very key and important success to us.” Benson Rukabu, National Coordinator Rwanda Education for All Coalition (REFAC) Kigali