African communities have one striking problem \u2013 inequality.<\/p>\n
But such inequalities are more pronounced in the education sector where learners from different backgrounds have unequal access to technological advances \u2013 further widening the digital divide.<\/p>\n
In the age of digital transformation, online learning is available to some, especially in urban areas. But the story is different for those in rural schools.<\/p>\n
This is a major concern even in South Africa \u2013 the continent\u2019s most economically advanced country \u2013 as said by its leader President Cyril Ramaphosa during the 10th<\/sup> Africa Regional Conference of Education International on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Ramaphosa told the conference running under the theme, \u201cStanding Together for Resilient Education Systems in Times of Crisis\u201d that the emergence of the deadly COVID-19 hastened digital transformation and quickly shifted work patterns and education matrixes.<\/p>\n The pandemic exposed the fragilities stalking most African societies, according to Ramaphosa.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pandemic was not just a health crisis but also of education. It underscored the vast disparities in our education systems, with the digital divide becoming more pronounced. While some learners adapted swiftly to online learning, others, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, experience great challenges,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The South African President, a lawyer by training, spoke passionately about how rural communities and students with disabilities were disproportionately affected.<\/p>\n \u201cWith schooling disrupted, inequalities in education were exacerbated,\u201d said Ramaphosa.<\/p>\n To further compound education inequalities, are political upheavals in some parts of Africa and globally.<\/p>\n \u201cThese crises further strained our social fabric, affecting the livelihoods of countless individuals and denying many children their fundamental right to education. In these times of instability, it is even more critical for nations to stand united in pursuit of equal access to education for all,\u201d said added.<\/p>\n Ramaphosa went on: \u201cEducation is the cornerstone upon which societies build their future. Through education, we cultivate respect for human rights, the rule of law, and the principles of democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n