INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Shafaq News/ Refugee education is in crisis
Nearly half of all refugee children are not attending school according to the latest UNHCR figures and with recent disruptions globally, the
number continues to rise.Determined to make a difference and change lives, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives Foundation in Dubai
launched The Digital School and is aiming to enrol one million refugees and underprivileged children over the next five years.A pilot stage
of The Digital School was initiated in 2020 and the first phase was officially launched this year across five countries, including Egypt,
Jordan, Iraq, Mauritania and Colombia
Up to 20,000 students are set to enrol this year, along with training 500 teachers
120 learning centres will also be rolled out, providing educational material in Arabic, French, Spanish and English.Omar Bin Sultan Al
Olama, the UAE Minister of State for Ai, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, who is also Chairman of The Digital School board,
told Euronews: “We are choosing locations that do have a certain baseline of infrastructure
So they have electricity, they have some sort of broadband connectivity
If it's not high end, at the least we are able to give them access to the services
We download the content on these tablets and actually provide the tablets with the educational curriculum.”The Digital School has a global
alliance of more than 35 international organisations, with academic, educational and research institutions, such as UNESCO, UNICEF, Harvard,
and Arizona State University
The Secretary General of The Digital School, Dr Waleed Al Ali stated: “We believe in partnerships and that's why the Alliance for the
future of digital learning is our aim, our method to bring partners from different sectors, like education, technology, academia,
governments… to ensure we have a more rounded model for the digital school in every location.”The initiative is also in partnership with
a number of Dubai based authorities including Dubai Cares, The Emirates Red Crescent and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority
These establishments are building learning centres in refugee camps and remote areas, as well as utilising existing spaces
Agreements with different governments and international institutions have helped overcome various challenges, including connectivity –
with local telecom providers supplying free internet access.The Digital School adapts to each country’s needs and national curriculum
With the guidance of a teacher or facilitator, digital educational material is uploaded and learning is self-paced.The Education Director of
The Digital School, Dr Lesley Snowball, revealed their approach helps students develop the resilience and adaptability needed to make the
most of challenging circumstances
She told Euronews: “It gives them essential knowledge and skills for their immediate and longer-term future… we believe students will
feel a sense of belonging to a wider community, and they'll understand the wider world community actually cares about them and their
potential.”Dr Waleed Al Ali the Secretary General of The Digital School added they were surprised at the learning pace of teachers,
facilitators and students
He said: “People assume because they are underserved communities and less fortunate, they will be slow on getting on board … they are
They get it and are hungry for more.”The Emirati Jordanian refugee camp in Mrajeeb Al Fhood for Syrian refugees as part of the pilot phase
was launched two years ago, with 60 students
Today there are more than 750 pupils enrolled.Fatima Al Gabawy, a refugee herself, underwent the six-month training program to become a
facilitator at the school
She revealed the experience gave her a sense of responsibility and initiative
For students, Fatima told Euronews, “[The Digital School] helps strengthen [them] in studying in [their] transition from one stage to
another, and there are certificates provided by The Digital School that are globally recognised to qualify for universities or colleges in
the future.”Access to education and development can be a life-changer, and through this one of a kind global initiative and its potential
reach, The Digital School has given a huge sense of hope for the future to these children and their communities.(Euronews)
