Every month, a diverse group of stakeholders including policymakers, EdTech entrepreneurs, teachers, and parents gather for the EdTech Mondays Radio Show. Produced by the Mastercard Foundation and Shega Media & Technology, this show has been a staple since October 2023, airing on Fana FM 98.1 and ten other affiliated radio stations across Ethiopia.
In the latest episode, the focus was on Ethiopia’s ambitious Digital Education Strategy for the 2023-2028 period. This comprehensive plan, developed in collaboration with UNICEF, ITU, the World Bank, and other key partners, aims to address longstanding issues in education such as access, equity, and quality through the strategic integration of technology.
The strategy is built on two pillars, eight building blocks, and nine strategic objectives. These objectives include promoting EdTech innovation, developing digital content aligned with the curriculum, enhancing digital literacy for students and teachers, improving data governance for education, and fostering research and cooperation.
To achieve these objectives, the strategy outlines thirty-five projects, including initiatives to provide WiFi to schools and dormitories, develop EdTech applications with the private sector, distribute digital devices to educational institutions, and collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to remove taxes on digital devices.
Despite its ambitious goals, the strategy also recognizes challenges such as limited internet access, a lack of quality digital content, and the need for improved data analysis in education. Dr. Muluneh Atnafu, a key figure in the education sector, emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to create a more inclusive and skilled workforce.
The show also highlighted the crucial role of teachers in integrating technology effectively into the classroom. Dr. Blene Aklilu Betemariam, an Education and Skills Development Advisor, stressed the need for comprehensive training programs to empower teachers and create an enabling ecosystem for digital learning.
The Digital Education Strategy also focuses on infrastructure projects like EthERNet and SchoolNet to enhance connectivity and access to educational resources. EthERNet aims to connect public universities and build a national educational cloud, while SchoolNet seeks to improve education quality at secondary levels through online content and connectivity.
With a vision to connect all schools in Ethiopia to SchoolNet and improve access to higher education institutes through EthERNet, the Digital Education Strategy is set to revolutionize education in the country. Through collaboration and innovation, Ethiopia is paving the way for a more inclusive and technology-driven education system.
