OVERVIEW OF PROFUTURO PROGRAMME
ProFuturo is a digital education program launched in 2016 by Telefónica Foundation and "La Caixa" Foundation with the hallmarks of quality, sustainability over time, and access to all corners of the world, whether in urban, rural or remote areas or conflict zones. Its mission is to narrow the education gap in the world by providing quality digital education for children in vulnerable environments in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. In line with Goal 4 of the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda on access to equitable and inclusive quality education for all, ProFuturo aspires to become a world reference for transformation and innovation in education, improving the education of millions of children through technology. ProFuturo education solution can be adapted to any environment and context both with and without an internet connection. The ultimate goal is to deliver the best education to 25 million children by 2030. ProFuturo has launched its initiative in over 28 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean as a universal vocation that incorporates in an interrelated way, technologies, educational resources and teaching-learning methodologies designed to empower teachers and provide students with training in skills and competences for their personal and professional future. It is designed as a game changer for children being left behind – whether because of poverty, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, displacement or geographic isolation – connecting them to a world of opportunity and providing them with the skills they need to succeed in a digital world.
ProFuturo is an all-round solution that integrates series of digital learning experiences for elementary-school aged children, itineraries for teachers professional development and a system for continuous assessment and impact measurement. It seeks to improve the quality of education in vulnerable environments through the digital factor, with a two-fold objective; to improve teachers expertise at the techno-pedagogical level and to promote meaningful learning in students by increasing their motivation through digital learning experiences. The programme provides multimedia resources and activities designed to give students an active role in the teaching process; thus applying the principle of "learning by doing", where learning is achieved through practice. Students involvement motivates them to learn, and leads to a greater acquisition of knowledge, skills and values. The key to the programme is teacher training. ProFuturo trains teachers in the use of digital tools, helps them improve their 21st Century skills and invites them to promote collaborative work so as to create a vast international network of schools that teach, learn and share knowledge, thus breaking down the “classroom walls”.
UNHCR in partnership with the ProFuturo Foundation has introduced ProFuturo in NKST Primary School Ahondo and NKST Primary School Gbaazov, all in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria for the Cameroonian refugee and host community children. The programme which commenced in June, 2022 is being implemented by FJDP under the support and supervision of UNHCR. So far, over 35 teachers and some principal officers of Benue State ministry of education have been trained on ProFuturo, educational innovation and management. The teacher training and support on digital and pedagogical skills would continue throughout the period of the programme.
