The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) address core development issues including education. A panel discussion hosted by the International Peace Institute (IPI) and the Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDGF), identified education as a key driver for social change and poverty eradication.? Four speakers, including Paloma Duran, Director of the SDGF; Cesar Alierta, President of Foundation Telefonica; Madhavi Ashok, Senior Advisor of UN Partnerships at UNICEF and Anthony Bosah, Charge d'Affaires of Nigeria to the UN, discussed that in this modern era with high technology proliferation, innovation in education is a critical element for the realization of the Global Goals. They agreed that digital education is an effective tool that should be adopted in every country's education system. Digital education is the process of facilitating a learning session with the aid of digital content and platforms.?
Today's technology allows us to deliver education in conventional and digital methods. Conventional education method is a lecture-based teaching style that puts a high emphasis on physical interaction between teachers and students. Meanwhile, digital education method is a technology-driven teaching style that relies on online interaction. Paloma Duran, Director of the SDGF, explained that easy access to digital education will improve the implementation of SDG4 (Quality Education). According to Duran, this action will ensure that no one will be left behind, and narrow the gap between education quality in developed and developing countries. She emphasized that an effective cooperation with all stakeholders, both from public and private sectors, is needed.
Cesar Alierta, President of Foundation Telefonica, said digital education increases the possibility of having the same education standard between countries. It can be manifested in two forms: digital mobile classrooms and digital learning platforms. In order to assure its effectiveness, trainings for both teachers and students are necessary. Alierta also emphasized the importance of cooperation between public and private alliances including governments, universities, local actors, and non-governmental organizations. ?
The urgency to implement digital education is also supported by UNICEF. Madhavi Ashok, Senior Advisor of UN Partnerships at UNICEF, pointed out that digital education needs to be expanded and taught not only in schools, but also at home starting during early childhood. She explained that digital education would enhance children's cognitive skills which would improve their skill set to better prepare them for the job market.
Meanwhile, challenges of adopting digital education do exist, particularly in developing countries. Anthony Bosah, Charge d'Affaires of Nigeria to the UN, highlighted that high cost and computer illiteracy are the main challenges. According to Bosah, only twenty percent of students in Nigeria are familiar with digital education.
An unequal education standard between countries is a challenge that requires a collaborative partnership between all actors. Digital education can be an effective tool to bridge the gaps in education standards between developed and developing countries.?