What is the initiative and where is it implemented (city or country)?
In Uruguay, Plan Ceibal (Educational Connectivity in Basic Computing for Online Learning) was first implemented in 2007. Its underlying principles trace back to the non-profit organization One Laptop per Child (OLPC) but have been adapted and developed by Uruguayan stakeholders to complement the national context. The plan has three main components:
- an educational component promoting innovation in education centres and classrooms with the guidance of a broadly defined education project published in 2007;
- a social component shaped by the principles of social inclusion and equity;
- a technological component centred on increasing access to internet-connected laptops.
For the technological component, Plan Ceibal supplies internet-ready laptops with wireless technology to students and teachers across Uruguay at no cost; the aim is to provide universal access. Now, all children enrolled in the public education system in Uruguay are equipped with a computer and Plan Ceibal continues to offer educational programmes, resources and teacher training opportunities.
How was the initiative established? How was it implemented?
Plan Ceibal was developed in 2007 as a mechanism for inclusion and support to eradicate digital exclusion in Uruguay. The goal of the programme is to promote the integration of technology to improve the quality of learning, promote innovation and inclusion and provide opportunities for personal growth from a very young age. Upon entering the public education system, every child is given a computer for personal use; every school is equipped with a free internet connection
A network of institutions has supported implementation, among them the Presidency of the Republic. Plan Ceibal’s subsequently successful implementation demonstrates the value of collaboration in providing opportunities for lifelong learning.
Which stakeholders are involved in the design and/or implementation of the initiative? Which sectors do they represent?
Plan Ceibal was implemented by an ‘inter-institutional’ network of stakeholders. During its early stages, this network included the Presidency of the Republic, the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay, the National Public Education Administration, the Central Directing Council (CODICEN), the Primary Education Council, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Agency for the Development of Electronic Government and the Information and Knowledge Society, the National Research and Innovation Agency (ANII) and the National Telecommunications Administration (Plan Ceibal Policy Committee, 2011).
What are the impacts of the initiative in terms of facilitating lifelong learning? Who does it benefit and how?
Since 2007, the programme has expanded and now provides training to learners of all ages.
Between 2007–2009, all students were provided with computers and all schools equipped with internet connections.
In 2010, Plan Ceibal became a State policy and acquired legal status
In 2011, the educational platform ‘Ceibal Digital Library’ was launched, providing free access to textbooks.
In 2012, new roles were created to support Plan Ceibal: Ceibal Support Teacher (Maestro de Apoyo Ceibal (MAC)) and Facilitator (Maestros Dinamizadores).
In 2013, teaching programmes included robotics, programming, 3D modelling and foreign languages.
Since 2015, the programme has also focused on digital inclusion of low-income pensioners (Plan Ibirapita).
Ceibal Ingles has provided English classes for primary school students since 2016.
In 2017, Jovenes a Programar was launched to teach young adults programming. Around 1,000 adults outside the education system benefited from the programme and increased their chances of employment. The Biblioteca Digital Ceibal was relaunched, a digital library featuring interactive digital communities and unlimited access.
References:
Plan Ceibal, n.d. What is Plan Ceibal. [Online] Available at: https://www.ceibal.edu.uy/en/institucional [Accessed 3 September 2020].
Plan Ceibal Policy Committee. 2020. Plan Ceibal in Uruguay. [online] Available at: https://www.anep.edu.uy/sites/default/files/images/Archivos/publicaciones/plan-ceibal/plan%20ceibal%20in%20uruguay.pdf [Accessed 25 November 2020].