Developing Countries: Remote Education

(asked on 8th January 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the EdTech Hub and eLearning Africa survey funded by his Department, entitled The Effect of COVID-19 on Education in Africa and Its Implications for the Use of Technology, what assessment he has made of the effect of reductions to the aid budget on ensuring access to technology during school closures due to covid-19.


Answered by
James Duddridge Portrait
James Duddridge
This question was answered on 14th January 2021

FCDO-funded research has improved our global understanding of how COVID-19 is impacting on the lives and learning outcomes of young people in low and middle income countries. This includes the role and future possibilities of technology use for learning. As set out by the Foreign Secretary, girls' education will remain a priority for UK aid. With 1.6 billion children out of school at the peak of COVID-19, the EdTech Hub has been supporting policy makers with the evidence they need to make effective decisions on the use of EdTech to help children learn remotely. We have adapted our bilateral education programmes in 18 countries. For example, in Rwanda we are providing online and telephone support to parents and teachers regarding home schooling and in Ethiopia we have provided additional funding for TV and radio programmes for learning.

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