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Brazil, UNESCO, and Huawei Forge a Path for Digital Education

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Brazilian Ministry of Education, UNESCO, and Huawei have initiated the "Technology-Enabled Open Schools for All" pilot projects in the Brazilian states of Bahia and Pará. This ambitious undertaking aims to enhance green digital education and extend resources to underserved regions, thereby creating equitable learning environments.

At the core of the initiative are essential components that include connectivity infrastructure, solar energy systems, teacher training in educational technology, digital devices for classrooms, and comprehensive digital curricula. The projects have drawn support from the Education Ministries of Bahia and Pará and are part of Huawei's TECH4ALL digital inclusion initiative. As part of the effort, training centers for teachers will be established in Brazil's northern and northeastern regions, guided by the Creativity and Innovation Laboratory for Elementary Education (LabCrie), with an anticipated completion date by the end of 2025.

Iuri Rubim, the General Director of the Anísio Teixeira Institute under the Bahia Ministry of Education, expressed the initiative's essence: "This project showcases how connectivity, digital tools, and teacher training can improve learning spaces. It's not just about using technology; it's about integrating it in ways that are critical, creative, and sustainable. We aim to prepare our schools, teachers, and students for the challenges of today and tomorrow."

Aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), the Open Schools project is now entering its second phase, intending to create resilient educational systems that support national educational policies, promote digital transformation in the education sector, and expand equal access to digital education.

Rafael Herdy, the Education and Technology Coordinator at the Pará Ministry of Education, commented on the initiative's critical role: "We believe this initiative is essential for advancing the digitalization of education in Brazil. It acts as a catalyst to prepare society for digital transformation, ensuring that the future is built upon greater innovation and equality for all."

A significant aspect of the educational offerings will include training programs specifically focused on green digital education and artificial intelligence (AI) for secondary school teachers. This learning curriculum will be delivered via the Ministry of Education's online platform, AVAMEC, and is intended for 1,000 teachers and students from public schools in Jequié and Breves.

Maria Rehder, UNESCO Project Officer in Brazil, affirmed the integral role of educators, stating, "UNESCO recognizes that no screen will ever replace a teacher, but we believe in the immense potential of technology in education to create a more inclusive and sustainable future. This initiative represents a step forward in integrating technology into education, with methodologies for green digital education and AI developed through dialogue with the teachers themselves."

The project aims to reinforce Brazilian governmental policies regarding digital education. This includes establishing a national guide for green digital education encompassing enhanced national platforms, connecting schools, building sustainable technological infrastructure, and training teachers in AI.

Elise Machado, Government Affairs Coordinator at Huawei Brazil, emphasized the initiative's commitment to democratizing access to technology and fostering a more inclusive digital future: "We believe digital inclusion starts with education. Projects like these align innovation, sustainability, and human development to have a direct impact on communities in historically underserved areas."

The Open Schools initiative isn't confined solely to Brazil; it has parallel projects underway in Egypt and Thailand. From 2020 to 2024, Phase I unfolded in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana. In Egypt, Open Schools supported 950,000 secondary school teachers via the National Center for Distance Education. Meanwhile, Ethiopia's project involved 12,000 students and 250 teachers across 24 secondary schools, facilitating improved access to educational platforms nationwide. In Ghana, 1,000 teachers and 3,000 students benefited, strengthening their national educational platforms.

In conclusion, as these transformative educational projects gain momentum, they promise to pave the way for a digitally inclusive landscape in Brazil, equipping future generations with the necessary tools to thrive in an increasingly digital world.