Brazil's Ministry of Education and Huawei Launch Digital Transformation Projects in Bahia and Pará

Digital Transformation in Brazil's Education

In an exciting development for education in Brazil, the Brazilian Ministry of Education has partnered with UNESCO and Huawei to launch pilot projects titled "Open Schools for All" in the states of Bahia and Pará. This initiative emphasizes the integration of green digital education, particularly focusing on enhancing educational opportunities in disadvantaged regions.

The Open Schools project aims to provide essential infrastructure, including improved connectivity, solar installations, and access to educational technology. It also seeks to equip classrooms with digital devices and curricula that adapt to the evolving landscape of education in the digital age.

Under the auspices of Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative, the projects receive vital support from the state's education departments, enabling them to establish two teacher training centers aimed at the northern and northeastern regions of Brazil. These centers, which will be completed by the end of 2025, are part of a broader ambition to foster an educational environment that leverages innovation and sustainability.

Iuri Rubim, the director of the Anísio Teixeira Institute in Bahia, commented on the importance of this initiative. He stated, “This endeavor showcases how connectivity, digital tools, and teacher training can significantly enhance learning environments. The focus is not solely on using technology but on integrating it in a decisive, creative, and sustainable manner.” This reflects a commitment to prepare schools, educators, and students for both current and future challenges.

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, the project also seeks to establish resilient educational systems that support national educational policies while making digital education more equitable. Rafael Herdy, an educator at the Pará State Education Department, highlighted that the project would serve as a catalyst for digital transformation, ensuring that Brazil's future is marked by greater innovation and fairness.

Teacher training will primarily target middle and high school educators, with a focus on green digital education and artificial intelligence (AI). The program, delivered through the Ministry's AVAMEC virtual learning platform, aims to benefit 1,000 teachers and students in specific public schools across Jequié and Breves.

Maria Rehder, UNESCO's project lead in Brazil, emphasized the irreplaceable value of teachers despite advancements in technology. She pointed out, “We believe in the immense potential of technology in education to build a more inclusive and sustainable future,” further defining the project as a significant step in integrating technology with education.

Moreover, the initiative aims to strengthen Brazil's public policies for digital education, including the development of national guidelines for green digital education. This encompasses enhancing national platforms, connecting schools, developing sustainable technological infrastructures, and training teachers in AI.

Elise Machado, Huawei’s government affairs coordinator in Brazil, expressed Huawei's commitment to democratizing access to technology through this project. “We believe that digital inclusion starts with education. Initiatives like this blend innovation, sustainability, and human development, directly impacting communities in historically disadvantaged regions,” she stated.

Open Schools is not just confined to Brazil; similar projects in their second phase are ongoing in Egypt and Thailand. The first phase from 2020 to 2024 included educational support in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana. For instance, Open Schools in Egypt facilitated training for 950,000 preschool and high school teachers. In Ethiopia, the project enhanced national access to educational platforms and reached 12,000 students across 24 secondary schools. Ghana witnessed the project impacting 1,000 teachers and 3,000 students, significantly boosting national educational platforms.

As these endeavors progress, they signify a transformative step towards an equitable educational landscape, illustrating the pivotal role of international collaboration in education’s digital evolution.