Airtel Rwanda and UNICEF Partner to Increase Access to Digital Learning for School Children in Rwanda
Airtel Rwanda has entered into a partnership with UNICEF to help accelerate its roll-out of digital learning by connecting schools to the internet and ensuring access to learning platforms in the country.
The agreement between Airtel Africa and UNICEF is a five-year pan-African partnership to help increase digital learning by connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms across 13 countries.
Under the agreement signed on Monday, Airtel Africa has made a commitment to provide US$50 million in support in-kind (Data, SMS) and US$7 million in cash over the span of the 5-year period, according to a statement by the mobile operator.
“As a result of this partnership, students in Rwanda are set to receive access to digital learning resources for both teachers and students free of charge,” it said.
“In the coming weeks, a total of 20 schools will receive internet connectivity that will benefit up to 12,000 young learners and their teachers. In addition, Airtel has zero-rated five platforms that hold a wealth of content from the official Rwanda Education Board curriculum freely accessible to anyone who has an Airtel Rwanda SIM card,” the statement added.
Acting UNICEF Representative in Rwanda, Ms Min Yuan, in a release, said: “The sky is the limit when students and teachers can use digital connectivity to learn and teach wherever and whenever possible.
“We are honoured to partner with Airtel Rwanda as we embark on this endeavour to provide thousands of school children and their teachers’ access to the internet.”
Also speaking during the signing ceremony, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director, Mr Emmanuel Hamez said: “It gives Airtel Rwanda great pleasure to extend our world-class internet to the young learners in Rwanda.”
“I commend the Government of Rwanda, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of ICT & Innovation for providing a conducive environment that makes such initiates possible.”
Airtel Africa and UNICEF have similar projects in other African countries like Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Tanzania and Uganda.
