Over 450,000 Students to Gain from SDG Digital Education Transformation

Over 450,000 students are anticipated to gain from the execution of the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Joint Programme on Digital Transformation for Education in the upcoming three years.

This information comes from UNICEF Representative, Olga Isaza, who gave an overview at the launch of the program at Cumberland High School in Portmore, St. Catherine, on Tuesday (March 25).

The project was initiated by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF.

Her Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Erja Askola, head of the European Union delegation to Jamaica, emphasized the significance of the program, stating, “the advantages of digitalization are not inherently inclusive,” and stressed that access to crucial technology must be provided to the most vulnerable members of society.

The UNICEF Representative emphasized that the effectiveness of teachers, their teaching approaches, educational resources, and the environment affecting children are key factors for learning and were identified as the main reasons for the issues within the education system.

To accomplish this, Ambassador Askola stated that the European Union and the Government are collaborating to improve broadband internet access in 1,000 schools and children's residences across various parishes.

The Digital Transformation for Education SDG Joint Programme is worth US$3.7 million and is financed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund, backed by the European Union.