The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Enhancing digital education in Argentina
In Argentina, UNOPS is helping to enhance learning opportunities in schools – and bridge the digital divide.
Digital technologies have fundamentally transformed the way we learn, work, communicate and go about our daily lives.
But alongside these advancements comes growing inequalities. Not all children, youth and adults have the same access, or capacity, to take advantage of new technologies. Many are being left behind.
For over 20 years, UNOPS has supported the Argentinian government at the national and provincial levels to advance educational outcomes and ensure inclusive learning opportunities for all. Through technical and operational assistance, fund management, and effective and transparent procurement processes, our work in Argentina is helping to enhance digital education across the country.
Explore some of the impact our two-decade commitment to education in Argentina has made …
Key numbers*
With more than 4 million IT devices procured transparently and efficiently for our partners in Argentina, UNOPS supports the creation of digital learning environments, modernizing public education and reducing inequalities for thousands of students across the country.
Connecting students to the Internet
In the world’s least developed economies, a 10% increase in school connectivity could increase GDP per capita by 1.1%.
In 2015, more than one-third of Argentina's nearly 50,000 public schools lacked internet access – and for the schools connected, access to the Internet was largely restricted to administrative use.
To help, UNOPS supported the Ministry of Education’s '100% Schools and Students Connected to the Internet' programme. This helped equip more than 15,000 schools with internet access and modern technologies – and included the procurement of 500,000 netbooks and 68,000 educational robotic kits, among many other items.
The modernized digital infrastructure and new technologies ensure that more than six million students and their teachers can connect to the internet to access online educational resources, participate in virtual classes and benefit from a digitally enabled learning environment.
Digital transformation in the classroom
In Buenos Aires, the Ministry of Education (MEDGCABA) developed a comprehensive digital education plan that aims to enrich teaching and learning across all public schools under its jurisdiction.
To help, UNOPS has supported the Ministry for almost a decade to procure and install a range of technological equipment in around 1,200 public schools, including at preschool, primary and secondary levels.
UNOPS has been our strategic partner since 2017 [...]. We share the challenge of integrating technology into education, which is key to developing STEAM [science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics] skills for our students. [UNOPS] provides us with the necessary assistance to continue equipping schools with technology.
At the heart of this transformation is the important role teachers play in facilitating the shift towards digital education. For children and youth, the integration of new technologies in the classroom helps increase student motivation, improve curricula and strengthen the interaction between teachers, students and family members. Students with disabilities can also benefit from enhanced learning experiences through inclusive and assistive technologies, like auditory learning devices designed for individuals with visual impairments.
These items have an impact on kids because it is what interests them: technology, the digital age and computers. The technology allows us to work in a different way and appeal to the kids in a more playful manner.
Creating spaces where key stakeholders, including teachers, can meet to share knowledge and experiences on how to integrate digital technologies and new tools into the classrooms is essential to advance progress towards digital education and improve learning. Read more (in Spanish)
Empowering teachers
In addition, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conducted studies on experiences in digital learning in primary and secondary schools globally. That helped update education policies in Buenos Aires on how to best integrate digital technologies into education.
Teachers also worked alongside facilitators to undertake the training needed, and together, they found ways to combine digital education with other pedagogical and traditional ways of teaching. Training on STEAM education and on the new equipment was provided to teachers.
Closing the digital divide
In 2024, 2.5 billion people around the world still lacked access to the internet. In an increasingly digital world, this disconnect threatens to further marginalize these individuals.
Recognizing this challenge, our work in Argentina continues as we strengthen our partnerships with the Ministry of Education in Buenos Aires, the Ministry of Economy and Public Management of the Province of Córdoba, and Ministries of Education in the provinces of Chubut, Mendoza and San Juan.
UNOPS remains committed to supporting the UN family and partners to help bridge the digital divide – and help ensure no youth is left behind in the digital age.
Global Goal we are supporting through these initiatives:
