FEICOM, UNICEF partner to boost digital learning in schools.

The deal was sealed recently. The scheme, dubbed: “Education and Technology For Every Child,” was launched recently in Garoua-Boulaï, Lom and Djerem Division of the East Region.

The pilot phase of the project aims to reach out to 10,000 pupils and 100 teachers in 15 Elementary Schools in the localities of Garoua-Boulaï, Ngoura, Bertoua I, Bertoua II and Mandjou. 

The programme, according to officials, equally seeks to reduce disparities, inequalities and digital divide in school coverage.

It will equally contribute to improving the quality of learning and enhance access to quality education in vulnerable Regions. 

Both institutions, through the deal, say they also want to promote a digital entrepreneurial spirit in Primary and Secondary Schools and boost training governance.

The project is worth 2.8 Billion FCFA. The money will be used in the construction and renovation of classrooms, supply of desks, rehabilitation and construction of boreholes, development of playgrounds and the construction of fences. 

Part of the money will also be used to finance the the provision of a digital learning platform for the selected schools.

The ceremony was equally an opportunity to hand over prizes to winners of Hackaton. 

Hackaton was organised by FEICOM and UNICEF Cameroon as part of the ED-TECH FEICOM UNICEF Research and Innovation Programmme.

The winners were chosen following a high-profile competition. The jury met on March 6, 2023. 

The competition recorded participation from several Cameroonian start-ups who proposed digital learning and assessment solutions. 

The entrepreneurship initiation, education e-governance, community engagement and awareness-raising also formed part of their projects.

Four winners were selected. They are expected to receive technical and financial support for the development of their projects. 

Such projects are geared towards addressing four components viz; quality and access to education, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, governance and resource mobilisation.

This initiative, according to the Director General of FEICOM, Philippe Camille Akoa, is his institution’s alignment with Cameroon's innovative young people to make local communities attractive and livable.

One of the winners representing Schule Z-Africa at the Hackaton ceremony, thanked FEICOM and UNICEF for taking interest in local development.

The representative said the award in Entrepreneurship and Innovation will spur them to further deploy solutions from pre-school levels to the education of more Primary and Secondary School children.