How does the ProFuturo project ensure alignment with the national curriculum in Zimbabwe?

The project works closely with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Zimbabwe. This ministry has a dedicated department for digital education that develops resources aligned with the national curriculum, which are then provided to the ProFuturo project for teachers to use in schools.

What kind of equipment is included in the ProFuturo connected education suitcases?

Each suitcase contains a laptop that serves as a server for the data interface, along with a projector and projector screen. Additionally, the platform offers interactive resources for teachers and students, and students use tablets to access assigned content.

What are the key benefits students and teachers have experienced with the ProFuturo tablets?

Students find the tablets motivating, making learning more interesting and interactive, even turning lessons into a form of play. Teachers report that the gadgets enhance student engagement and make lessons easier to deliver. The digital access also eliminates the need for students to search for information in the community.

How are focal points utilized within the schools for the ProFuturo project?

Focal points, often designated teachers, manage the equipment, ensuring daily charging and reporting any arising issues. They are also responsible for the secure check-in and check-out of the equipment suitcases, verifying contents, and providing basic technical support to other teachers.

How does the ProFuturo project address data protection for refugees?

To safeguard refugee data, the project sends anonymized registers to ProFuturo. For instance, during trainings, teachers sign using pseudonyms like 'Teacher Tongo 1' instead of their real names, a measure taken in compliance with UNHCR's requirements to protect refugee data privacy.

What are the future plans for expanding the ProFuturo educational program?

Expansion plans depend on the achievements realized by the end of the year. Currently, the focus is on ensuring the initial four schools are proficient with the equipment. If good results are demonstrated, ProFuturo may support further expansion to other schools.

Bridging the digital divide for refugees through connected education - Migration Summit 2023

MIT OpenCourseWare

Education4 min read46 min video

May 5, 2023|64 views

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Bridging the digital divide for refugees in Zimbabwe through connected education kits and teacher training.

Key Insights

The ProFuturo project in Zimbabwe provides connected education kits (laptops, projectors) to refugee-hosting primary schools.

Teacher training is a core component, equipping educators with skills to integrate technology into lessons.

Students show increased motivation and engagement with learning through interactive digital tools and gamified content.

The program aligns with UNESCO educational goals and the national curriculum, ensuring relevance and support from the Ministry of Education.

Best practices include student involvement in technology use, hands-on coach training, and establishing focal teachers for school-level support.

Lessons learned highlight the need for adaptive solutions, such as using tablets for co-curricular activities and providing basic ICT training for teachers.

Data privacy is addressed through anonymized student and teacher data shared with ProFuturo.

The project is part of a broader UNHCR-ProFuturo partnership active in multiple countries, focusing on refugee-hosting communities.

PROJECT INTRODUCTION AND PARTNERSHIP STRUCTURE

The Migration Summit 2023 highlighted the UNHCR/ProFuturo partnership in Zimbabwe, a program aimed at bridging the digital divide for refugees. Launched in 2022, the initiative provides connected education kits to primary schools in refugee-hosting areas, complemented by training for teachers and education leaders. The program is implemented in collaboration with Terre des Hommes (TdH) and supported by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, ensuring alignment with the national curriculum. This multifaceted partnership seeks to enhance learning opportunities and digital literacy within displaced communities.

CONTEXT AND IMPLEMENTATION SETUP

Tongogara Refugee Camp, located in the eastern part of Zimbabwe, hosts a significant refugee population, primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project initially involves four schools: Tongogara Primary School within the camp, chosen for its higher enrollment, and three schools in host communities. The setup phase included extensive meetings with educational authorities and school stakeholders to socialize the project. Each school received 'connected education equipment,' often described as a 'school in a box,' containing laptops serving as servers, projectors, and screens, alongside an installed Wi-Fi system and back-up power.

EQUIPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

The connected education kits consist of 12 suitcases, with Tongogara Primary School receiving six and the other three schools receiving two each. These kits are comprehensive, providing everything needed to deliver digital lessons. The laptops function as servers, hosting interactive resources and educational content accessible via tablets. Students create user accounts to access assigned materials, enabling teachers to monitor progress and performance on the platform. The availability of diverse resources, from interactive lessons to videos, significantly enhances the learning experience and caters to various subjects.

STUDENT AND TEACHER EXPERIENCES

Testimonials from students reveal increased enthusiasm for learning, citing subjects like agriculture, science, and English as more engaging through the tablets. They appreciate the ease of searching for information online, a significant improvement over previous methods. Teachers report that the ProFuturo gadgets motivate students, making them more interested and participatory in lessons. Many students, even younger ones, have become proficient in operating the devices. Teachers themselves find the platform easy to use, and the training provided by coaches has been instrumental in their confidence to adopt new teaching methodologies.

TEACHER TRAINING AND PEDAGOGICAL INNOVATION

The project emphasizes comprehensive training for teachers, facilitated by ProFuturo coaches. Initial hands-on training is followed by refresher sessions, enabling educators to gain confidence and practical skills in using the connected education solution. Teachers are encouraged to practice and apply their learning in classrooms, with coaches providing support during initial lessons. This systematic approach ensures that teachers are well-equipped to leverage technology to enhance their teaching methodologies, making learning more interactive and effective for students, even incorporating elements of learning through play.

BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED

Key best practices include actively involving learners in configuring tablets and setting up equipment, fostering a deeper understanding of the technology. Regular training, demonstration lessons, and ongoing support from coaches are crucial. The Ministry of Education's clear support and the establishment of focal teachers within schools to manage equipment and programming efforts are vital for sustainability. Lessons learned emphasize the need for adaptive solutions, such as using tablets for co-curricular activities for struggling learners and recognizing that continuous basic ICT training is essential for teachers. Data privacy is managed by sending anonymized data to ProFuturo.

MEASURING IMPACT AND FUTURE EXPANSION

An initial ICT survey was conducted to baseline teachers' digital skills and usage habits. Plans are in place for a follow-up survey after a year of implementation to measure changes in ICT skills and attitudes. The expansion of the program to new schools is contingent on the success and outcomes achieved in the current sites. The ProFuturo solution is globally implemented in over 40 countries, with this partnership specifically active in Rwanda, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, focusing on refugee-hosting communities. The availability of resources in multiple languages like French, Spanish, and Arabic is noted, though for Zimbabwe, English resources are prioritized due to the national language of instruction.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Products

●Organizations

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

The ProFuturo project, in partnership with UNHCR and Terre des Hommes, aims to bridge the digital divide for refugees in Zimbabwe by providing connected education. It equips schools in refugee camps and host communities with digital learning tools like tablets and laptops, along with relevant educational resources.

Topics

Connected Education ICT Training Zimbabwe ProFuturo Tablet Learning Refugee Camps Best Practices

Mentioned in this video

personSharon Munzara

An ICT expert and coach for the ProFuturo project in Zimbabwe, responsible for training teachers on using connected education equipment.

organizationTerre des Hommes (TdH)

An implementing partner for the UNHCR ProFuturo education project in Zimbabwe, responsible for day-to-day activities in the schools.

organizationTongogara Primary School

A primary school located in the Tongogara Refugee Camp, Zimbabwe, which received six suitcases of connected education equipment as part of the ProFuturo project.

organizationMinistry of Primary and Secondary Education (Zimbabwe)

The governmental body in Zimbabwe that must be involved in education projects to ensure alignment with the national curriculum, providing support and guidance.

organizationSabi Valley Primary School

A school benefiting from the ProFuturo project, with teachers sharing positive experiences about student motivation and engagement with the tablets.

organizationProFuturo

An organization partnering with UNHCR to implement a connected education project for refugees in Zimbabwe, providing digital learning equipment and resources.

personTalent Ganyaui

A grade 7 learner at Tongogara Primary School who shared a testimonial about using the ProFuturo platform for learning, highlighting agriculture and water conservation.

personAtipaishe Marango

A student mentioned by Sharon Munzara regarding learning points and best practices.

personAlexis Lefranc

Works closely with Rumbi on the UNHCR-ProFuturo partnership and provides clarification on the global reach and implementation of the ProFuturo solution in other countries.

personAleck Mlambo

Headmaster of Tongogara Primary School in Zimbabwe, sharing experiences with the ProFuturo project, including enrollment figures and equipment reception.

productprojector

Part of the connected education equipment, used to display content from the laptop server.

personPolite Sigauke

A grade 7 teacher at Tongogara Primary School who finds using ProFuturo interesting and beneficial for learners' mental, social, and future development, appreciating the training received.

productprojector screen

Included in the connected education suitcase, used in conjunction with the projector.

personSimba Munyokowere

A grade 6 teacher at Sabi Valley Primary School who highlights the ease of use of ProFuturo materials and the high level of learner engagement and joy during lessons.

personVirira Patson

A grade 6 teacher from Tongogara Primary School who shared a testimonial about the ProFuturo program, noting how children are motivated and learn computer literacy.

conceptICT

Information and Communications Technology, a key focus of the ProFuturo project, with training and surveys conducted to assess skills and needs among teachers and students.

personTeam Duka Alpha

A participant who asked questions regarding data protection and privacy for students, and teacher training for effective tablet use.

organizationNigeria

toolUPS