22
Consulting Matters Corporate social responsibility
Transforming ICT in Education in the Pacific FOR MANY PEOPLE, EDUCATION ABRUPTLY CAME TO A HALT DUE TO COVID-19, CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF LEARNING AROUND THE WORLD. A REDR AUSTRALIA DEPLOYEE WITH THE AUSTRALIA ASSISTS PROGRAM, PETER, HELPED STRENGTHEN THE PACIFIC’S TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITY IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR IN 2020 THAT HAS GIVEN TEACHERS THE SKILLS AND ABILITY TO DELIVER LEARNING ONLINE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND BEYOND.
To date, the Pacific Islands have been largely untouched by the health impacts of COVID-19, but the economic impact to the region is set to be one of the most severe in the world. Closed borders have kept the virus largely out of the Pacific but it has also kept tourists out too. An estimated AUD 5 billion in additional surplus is needed in the next few years for the region to recover. This means governments now have less financial capacity to invest in education and training. The education systems, which are already under-resourced, were exposed by the pandemic, with schools and higher education facilities closing their doors during lockdown periods. Without the right technology and digital infrastructure in place, such as broadband access and computers, there was no continuity to access education when a crisis or disaster hit. In partnership with the Australian Government, Peter commenced work in June with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to ensure a longer-term vision for the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education in the Pacific.
Australia Assists deployee, Peter, collaborating with colleagues via Zoom in his role as ICT in Education Specialist with UNESCO.
For many people, education abruptly came to a halt due to COVID-19, causing a significant loss of learning around the world. A RedR Australia deployee with the Australia Assists program, Peter, helped strengthen the Pacific’s technological capability in the education sector in 2020 that has given teachers the skills and ability to deliver learning online through the pandemic and beyond.
After leading an education organisation in Hong Kong, Peter was en-route to Samoa via Australia when COVID-19 struck. As the borders closed, Peter based himself in Australia and began working remotely.
The education systems, which are already underresourced, were exposed by the pandemic, with schools and higher education facilities closing their doors during lockdown periods. Without the right technology and digital infrastructure in place, such as broadband access and computers, there was no continuity to access education when a crisis or disaster hit.
