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Ministers call for investment in education technology

Ministers say future of education requires a lot of commitment, innovation and flexibility.

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by OLIVER MATHENGE

News29 July 2021 - 12:18
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In Summary


  • • The five ministers said that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the need for greater investment in technology.
  • • Magoha said that through the Global Partnership for Education, Kenya was able to establish a blended learning system during the pandemic.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha and other panelists at the Global Education Summit

Education Ministers are calling for higher investment in education to increase access, especially in poor nations.

Speaking at the ongoing Global Education Summit in London, five ministers said that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the need for greater investment in technology.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said that through the Global Partnership for Education, Kenya was able to establish a blended learning system during the pandemic.

He noted that though schools were closed for a lengthy period, technology-enabled many to stay engaged in their schooling.

"Data and evidence have been helpful in ensuring the Kenyan government make the right investment in education. We have a system that gives real-time data, helps the government know the students in school, and resources directed to the same," Mogoha said.

Pakistan Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training Shafquat Mahmood said that technology is key to transforming education noting that transformation is bigger than just having children in school.

He noted that Pakistan had through the pandemic taught his government to focus on more than physical attendance in schools, noting that blended learning was critical.

"Technology helps us reach those children who are not in school but we are also learning that we need to expand internet access more. It is important to ensure children learn humane competencies through education - skills to contribute to society and peace," Mahmood said.

Afghanistan Minister of Education Rangina Hamidi said that though the country has been at war for more than four decades, they have made a lot of gain in the last 20 years.

"We have built more schools and are having more children in school to numbers that we have never seen before. However, we are not only facing the pandemic but we are continuously fighting conflict and severe drought," Hamidi said.

She added that the future of education requires a lot of commitment, innovation and flexibility.

Malawi Minister of Education Agnes Nyalonje said that coordinating with stakeholders is crucial in securing recovery and sustainable development in education.

Sierra Leone  Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education David Sengeh said that the world must think of hybrid systems of education to enhance access post-pandemic.

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