In Uruguay, confined students benefit from a unique virtual education policy

Text by: Théo Conscience

With the coronavirus crisis, UNESCO estimates that more than a billion students around the world can no longer go to class. In Uruguay, since 2007, all pupils in public education have received a free tablet or laptop. An education policy unique in the world, very precious in these times of pandemic.

Publicity

Since March 16, Joaquín Mesa's college has been closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Like all Uruguayan students, this 13-year-old schoolboy follows his lessons online. Yesterday he worked four hours.

“ I gave a presentation on the coronavirus, two hours of history, and then I had geography. We use the Ceibal plan computers , ”he explains.

Since its implementation in 2007, the Ceibal plan has made it possible to distribute more than a million tablets and laptops for free. In Uruguay, all pupils in public education are entitled to it. An education policy unique in the world.

“ I find it a very precious resource. The positive point is that we learn together to use this platform which has existed for years, and which is finally recognized at its fair value. Fabiana Denis is a teacher in an elementary school. She was trained in the various educational platforms developed within the framework of the Ceibal plan, devoted for example to mathematics or English. A messaging service and a virtual library of over 7,000 books are also available.

" All the platforms are programmed so that we can correct the activities, and that we can control who connects or not, " she said.

Since the closure of educational establishments, the Ceibal plan platforms have recorded attendance records. In this country of 3.5 million inhabitants, more than 200,000 students connect daily.

Our selection on SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

• Listen to Infos coronavirus , our daily column on the Covid-19

• An infographic: The coronavirus in 7 points

• Practical questions:
→ What is the lifespan of the virus?
→ Who are the vulnerable people ?
→ What should you do when you think you are contaminated ?
→ Quarantine, what are we talking about ?
→ What treatments ? The effectiveness of an antimalarial drug in question
→ The advice of a psychiatrist to live well the confinement

Find all our articles, reports, chronicles and programs on the coronavirus by clicking here .

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Uruguay
• Coronavirus
• Education
• Education
• Internet

On the same subject

Interview

Geremi: "Footballers are aware of the threat" of the coronavirus

Coronavirus: the state of the world facing the pandemic on Thursday, March 26

Coronavirus: Unemployment explodes in the United States