BT and UNICEF’s 'Inspiring Young Minds’ Bridging Digital Divide in China
Last updated 05/06/2009 11:43:05
BT UNICEF Inspiring Young Minds Bridging Digital Divide in China
Schools in remote and rural areas in China will gain access to modern technology through a joint initiative between BT and UNICEF helping thousands of students and teachers.
Computers, internet access, multi-media projectors and other educational materials will be provided in schools across the provinces of Qinghai, Ningxia, Yunnan and Jiangxi - where there are high-levels of digital exclusion.
£500,000 (RMB5 million) will be invested in up to 40 rural schools which are under-resourced and have limited access to modern teaching aids and equipment, helping children in these schools gain access to this kind of technology for the first time.
Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative in China, said: "Access to technology and quality teaching resources is limited in many rural schools in China. While gains are being made in access to education, the quality of learning and teaching lags behind in remote rural schools"
The initiative represents the third phase of BT and UNICEF's ‘Inspiring Young Minds' programme, a £1.5m global development partnership designed to bring education, technology and communication skills to children from disadvantaged backgrounds in South Africa, Brazil and China.
The project has been jointly designed by UNICEF and the Chinese National Centre for Educational Technology, Ministry of Education who will work closely to develop this programme into a replicable and sustainable model which could be expanded to other schools.
Activities supported by BT will include establishing an online learning community to enable teachers to explore information from the internet, to learn from each other and to share teaching resources. Training in computer skills and how to develop innovative teaching methods using information technology will be provided to 40% of teachers in project schools.
Kevin Taylor, chief operating officer for BT Asia Pacific said: "communications skills and technology can give individuals and communities everywhere the opportunity to improve lives and take part in the global economy".
In 2007, phase one of the partnership was launched in South Africa, where funding has provided schools with computers and teaching materials, and built or refurbished computer labs, libraries and classrooms. In addition, 150 school teachers and principals have been trained in effective school management.
In Brazil, the initiative is helping 10,000 adolescents from low-income communities in five cities to develop technology and communications skills.
Since the launch of the partnership, employee fundraising in BT has contributed a further £375,000 to UNICEF in addition to the corporate donation of £500,000 per country.
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