UNESCO, UNICEF and ITU launch Charter for Public Digital Learning Platforms

"In today's screen-based age, education needs to meet students where they are - and, increasingly, that's online. The Charter clarifies that digital learning platforms are core education infrastructure. UNESCO is pleased to provide a positive vision for digital learning platforms in partnership with our sister UN agencies," said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Education.

The Charter, which was launched at an event in Helsinki, offers governments a shared framework to guide the design, governance and continuous improvement of public digital learning platforms. It asserts that these platforms must uphold the same values and aims that animate public education and complement the work that happens in schools and with teachers.

"Learning is increasingly happening online, and our public education systems need to keep pace," said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. "That means building digital foundations that are safe, interoperable, and designed to protect learners. ITU is ready to support countries in transforming the principles of this Charter into inclusive, secure and trusted digital education platforms that leave no learner behind."

In many national and subnational contexts for-profit technology companies have become the de facto hosts, architects and operators of digital education, rather than educational authorities, school leaders and teachers. While a diversity of digital platforms for education is welcome, the Charter insists that students, teachers and families deserve educational platforms that respond to public needs and are accountable to the public.

"This Charter is our collective commitment to ensure that the digital world becomes an extension of the education system, not a replacement for it. Delivered responsibly as a public good, AI and other ed-tech solutions offer an opportunity to connect private-sector innovation with public sector policies, safeguards and systems that provide teachers with the training, tools and resources they need to deliver on our promise quality education for all," said Pia Britto, Global Director of Education and Adolescent Development at UNICEF.