Refugee Education can traditionally be hard to achieve.
The very nature of a refugees situation, means that they are displaced.
Being displaced from their normal geographic home, disrupts schooling for the young.
But there is a new possible solution.
The solution is direct to handset education.
More specifically I am talking about direct-to-handset, from Low Earth Orbit Satellite (LEO).
Traditional mobile / cell phone connectivity is achieved using ‘Cell Towers’
Cell Towers are the metal towers with rectangular antennas on, that are a common everyday sight.
The issue with cell towers is that they are owned by regional telecommunication companies, who also provide geographically limited SIM cards.
Displaced people may be in refugee camps newly arrived locations, not covered by their existing phone contract.
This can mean high roaming charges, or even no connectivity at all.
Imagine instead, a worldwide SIM card, for refugees education.
Imagine accessing broadband enabled lessons, from any location.
This could be achieved, as the technology now exists.
Currently two companies have successfully in 2023, run trials of satellite to ordinary mobile / cell phone.
Therefore worldwide quality refugee education for all, including refugees, is now possible.
Reading Links: 2023 Connected Education GRF Pledging Roadmap.pdf (unhcr.org)
Reliable space services: Why and how? – ITU Hub
How technology is helping education reach refugee children | CIO
The Role of Technology in Refugee Education – Refugee Research Online