91�鶹������Ʒ����

1. Background

The Global Education Monitoring Report (or GEM Report) is an editorially independent, authoritative, and evidence-based annual report that monitors progress on education in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Report is funded by a group of governments, multilateral agencies and foundations and published annually by UNESCO to serve the international community. It is widely recognized as an indispensable technical and advocacy tool supporting the achievement of SDG 4, which aims to ensure “inclusive and equitable quality education” and promote “lifelong learning for all” by 2030. 

The 2023 GEM Report, the sixth in this new series, focused on the role of technology in education. The achievement of SDG 4 is dependent on opportunities and challenges posed by technology, a relationship that was strengthened by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology, which appears in six out of the ten SDG 4 targets, affects education through five distinct channels, as input, means of delivery, skill, tool for planning, and providing a social and cultural context. Views on the role of technology are, however, divided, while research is challenged by the breakneck speed of technological developments. 

With a view to these debates, the  examined education challenges (equity and inclusion; quality; system management) to which appropriate use of education technology can offer solutions. The report then explored system-wide conditions (access to technology, governance and regulation, and teacher preparation) that need to be met for education technology to reach its full potential. 

As a complement to the global report and in line with its 2019-2024 strategy, two regional reports will examine the opportunities and challenges of education technology, one covering Southeast Asia, and the other focusing on the Pacific. Regional reports aim to better serve national audiences and promote policy dialogue in the region. For the preparation of the 2024 regional report on technology in education in the Pacific, in particular, the GEM Report team is partnering with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), an intergovernmental organisation concerned with the promotion and development of distance education and open learning. 

2. Work and objectives

To complement the work of content development of the 2024 Pacific regional report, the Work will focus on the preparation of a thematic study in the Pacific on one of the following themes: 

 2.1 Teachers and technology in education in the Pacific

focusing on the following questions:

• Is technology changing the teaching profession in the Pacific and, if so, how?
• What barriers do teachers face in applying technology in their classrooms and lessons?
• What steps are education systems taking to support teachers to use technology?

The study will cover at least 4 of these 14 countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Tokelau, and Vanuatu.

2.2 Governance and regulation in technology in education in the Pacific

focusing on the following questions:

• What are key governance issues in the use of technology in education in the Pacific, notably in contracting digital technology infrastructure and services in education?
• Do governments regulate technology in education to ensure data privacy and how?
• Do governments regulate technology in education to ensure cybersafety and how?
• Do governments regulate technology in education to ensure student well-being, physical and mental health and how?

The study will cover at least 4 of these 14 countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Tokelau, and Vanuatu.

2.3 Technology in education in Papua New Guinea

focusing on the following questions:

• How has ICT been used to improve access to education and to education content?
• Has technology been used as a means for teaching and learning and how?
• How does the education support students to develop digital skills?
• What legislation, strategies, policies and plans are in place to support the application of technology in education and what is their implementation status?
• How are teachers supported to use technology in education?

2.4 Lessons learned from technology in education systems in Australia and New Zealand applicable to the Pacific
focusing on the following questions:

• What is the experience from the application of technology in education in Australia and/or New Zealand, especially in remote areas, in terms of facilitating access to education, access to content, teaching and learning, digital skills development, and education management? What lessons – promises and warnings – does this experience hold for Pacific Island states?
• What is the experience from the implementation of technical assistance programmes on technology in education supported by Australia and/or New Zealand in Pacific Island states? What lessons does this experience hold for future programmes? 

3. Outputs

The Work shall consist of a thematic study of approximately 10,000 words (excluding appendices, annexes, and bibliographies) written in English at a very good level, which includes introduction discussion and conclusions. 

4. Timeline

The selected individual expert or organisation shall submit to the GEM Report team for its approval:

1. A detailed outline of the thematic study by 23 February 2024
2. A first draft of the thematic study by 26 April 2024
3. The final draft of the thematic study by 21 June 2024

5. Submission of proposals

The GEM Report team hereby invites interested individuals and organizations to contribute to the development of the 2024 regional report on technology in education in the Pacific.

A proposal should include: 

• A maximum 3-page technical proposal including: 
  • proposed methodology, including data, and workplan. Please specify the theme (s) you are applying for;
  • description of past research experience in this field and in the region; 
  • a financial proposal with a clear breakdown of costs per theme in case a multi-themed application.
• full CVs of expert(s) involved in the project, including academic record and list of publications, research grants and projects; 
• only for legal entities: proof of registration as a non-governmental/private organization including copies of registration certificate(s); please place the proposal on the organisation’s letterhead. 

The deadline for submission is 9 February 2024.

The following are the selection criteria: 

• Proven research record in technology in education;
• In-depth understanding of the education systems in the Pacific;
• Suitable research methodology for data collection and analysis in the selected theme;
• Experience in conducting country case studies and literature reviews;
• Proven engagement with relevant educational stakeholders in the region; and
• Capacity to carry out the assignment and to draft to a high standard in English.

Commissioning will take place in February 2024 and the Work commissioned is expected to be fully completed by July 2024. 

Please send your proposal in English along with the attachments in one PDF file to Ms Francesca Endrizzi (f.endrizzi@unesco.org), using the subject line 2024 Pacific regional report. Please also specify in your proposal if you are applying as an individual or an entity. 

Any requests for additional information should be addressed in writing to f.endrizzi@unesco.org. All responses to any queries or clarification requests are available to all applicants on the GEM Report website via this link by 19 January 2024.

Participation in this call for proposals does not guarantee that the organisation or individual expert will be ultimately selected.