The UN education agency UNESCO has said it has provided some technical/technical assistance to help more than 1.5 billion students who are unable to go to school due to the coronavirus crisis. Have agreed with technology firms and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
- Under the agreement, UNESCO is launching the Global Education Coalition to support countries to enhance their best distance education practices and reach out to children and young people most at risk.
- “We have never seen a barrier to education on this scale before,” said Audrey Ejule, director-general of UNESCO based Paris. The agency estimates that more than 87 per cent of the world’s students are being affected by school closures and many of them are forced to adopt online courses and distance learning techniques based on availability.
- Under this agreement, these UN technology collaborations include Microsoft, Google, Facebook and video conferencing expert Zoom, besides the Association of Mobile Network Operators GSMA.
In particular, the purpose of the alliance is:
- i) Mobilizing resources to provide distance education and helping countries in implementing innovative and contextual solutions, taking advantage of high-tech, low-tech and no-tech approaches
- ii) Ensuring education with equitable solutions and universal access
- iii) Ensuring coordinated responses and avoiding overlapping efforts
- iv) Stopping dropout rates when schools reopen and ensure students return to school
Unesco
- UNESCO is a microcosm of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a constituent body of the United Nations. Its task is to promote international peace through education, nature and social sciences, culture and communication. This special un-special institution was formed in November 1946.
- The aim is to establish peace and security in international cooperation of education and culture so that there is a global consensus for justice, rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms as described in the Charter of the United Nations.
- UNESCO has 193 member countries and 11 associate member countries. It is headquartered in Paris (France). At present, the DIRECTOR general of UNESCO is France’s Audrey Ejule.