UNESCO IITE in cooperation with Chengdu Group has successfully concluded the project, titled “Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovations to strengthen Inclusion and Equity in Education in Africa”, implemented in Mauritius and Rwanda. The initiative focused on promoting equitable access to education through digital technologies and AI, continuing from 2020 to 2025, building national capacities, and supporting policymakers and educators in integrating inclusive approaches into schools and institutions.
Capacity-Building and Training
A key achievement of the project was the development of two online teacher training courses, hosted at the UNESCO IITE E-Library:
- Open and Distance Learning Solutions for Students with Disabilities
- Introduction to Inclusive Education with ICT
These courses reached over 150 educators in Mauritius and Rwanda and attracted additional participants from neighboring countries. The training focused on practical classroom application, policy awareness, and the use of assistive technologies, ensuring that educators are equipped to implement inclusive digital education in diverse settings.
Knowledge Exchange and Publications
The project facilitated global knowledge exchange by collecting best practices from 21 inclusive resource centers across 18 countries. This effort resulted in the publication Innovative Technologies for Inclusive Education: A Review of Best Practices from Global Resource Centres. Another key output, Digital Technologies for Inclusive Education: Recommendations for Promoting an ICT-Based Learning Environment, provides guidance for policymakers and institutions seeking to implement inclusive, technology-supported learning environments.
Pilot Projects and Institutional Development
In Mauritius, the project piloted a secondary school Education Management Information System (EMIS), integrating digital tools into national education management. While some outputs, such as national resource centers, are awaiting formal adoption, the groundwork has been laid for future institutional development and national investment in inclusive digital education.
Lessons Learned
The Chengdu project offered several lessons that will inform future initiatives:
- Combining national capacity-building with open-access digital resources enables scalable and continuous professional development.
- Engaging national authorities, educators, and local stakeholders in participatory approaches strengthens ownership and relevance of project outputs.
- Flexibility in operational delivery is essential to address environmental disruptions, administrative delays, and infrastructure challenges.
- Clear strategies and follow-up mechanisms are important to ensure sustainability and long-term uptake of digital initiatives.
This project, supported by Chengdu Culture and Tourism Development Group LLC, implemented by UNESCO IITE, has set a foundation for inclusive digital education in Africa and demonstrated how collaborative, technology-driven approaches can strengthen equity and quality in education.
