Above: Digital Transformation Minister Hassel Bacchus.
Digital transformation is the transformation of business and organizational activities, processes, competencies and models to fully leverage the changes and opportunities of digital technologies and experiences. Digital transformation allows the Ministry of Education to make strategic decisions that impact the education sector with present and future technological advances in mind.
The impact of the digital transformation initiatives are profound in that the extensive cost savings realised, along with the efficiencies gained, will contribute to the Ministry of Education’s commitment to improving public sector service delivery and public sector perception.
The Digital Transformation Programme of the Ministry of Education focuses on the achievement of five critical objectives:
- To support the embedding of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment
- To upgrade digital technology infrastructure in all Schools
- To promote administrative growth and increased value from service delivery improvements
- To support vulnerable and marginalised populations within communities
- To apply dedicated funding and resources to facilitate upskilling of all personnel
The Digital Transformation Programme of the Ministry of Education, as proposed will at least impact 12 operational areas in achievement of the outcomes envisioned:
| Budget Management – Estimates (Recurrent/PSIP) | Lifelong Learning |
| Digital Records Management | Human Resource Processes |
| ICT Infrastructure Upgrades/Maintenance | Staff Terms and Conditions |
| School Infrastructure (Repair Programme) | School Operations |
| Examinations (Online Modalities) | Professional Development |
| Curriculum Delivery | Staffing Support for Divisions |
As a result, the Ministry of Education proposes to achieve the following outcomes in pursuit of efficient development of globally competitive citizens:
i. Promotion of a learner centred and digitally agile education system.
ii. Development of digital fluency at all levels in the education system and among all stakeholders.
iii. Encouragement of continuous learning and development (teaches 21st century skills).
iv. Promotion of continuous stakeholder and client engagement for continued buy-in and adoption.
v. Improvement in teacher efficiency and effectiveness.
vi. Reduction of manual workloads at the technical and administrative level.
vii. Fostering efficiency in project implementation and monitoring.
viii. Building resilience and continuity and minimizing loss of learning.
ix. Facilitating learning at an individualised pace.
x. The creation of databases, which can be used to generate a variety of reports for monitoring schools and student performance.
xi. Improvement of school academic performance and student achievement
xii. Enhancement of the delivery of quality, equitable educational opportunities
xiii. Achievement of cost reductions in the administration of examinations and school operations
The Digital Transformation Program flows from and builds on the Ministry of Education’s 2018 ICT in Education Policy, which provides the context for the systemic replacement of outdated and outmoded practices that are no longer relevant or efficient, and the implementation of systems that cater to the requirements of 21st century learners and ICT-enabled administrative office environment and services.Therefore some of the projects started in 2019, and are ongoing, while others are more recent additions and are at various levels of implementation. This suite of projects stands to be augmented, as the MOE continues to be responsive to changing local and global circumstances.
The 13 Digital Projects comprising the Digital Transformation Plan are as follows…
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