Using ICT for Developing Primary Students' Core Competencies and Reducing Rural-Urban Disparities

Client: Asian Development Bank

Duration: 2019-present

Location: Lanzhou City, PRC

Contract Value: USD 211,520

Catalogue: Social Service

Project Description

The PRC Ministry of Education (MOE) in 2014 initiated a new round of curriculum reform that emphasized the comprehensive individual development of each student with a sense of responsibility and practical and innovation skills instead of focusing strictly on subject knowledge and examination scores. Integrated practice activities have also been introduced to primary education. The reform has further prioritized the development of instructional resources through the use of information and communication technology (ICT), transforming teaching–learning methods into student-centered and problem- and project-based. The proposed knowledge and support technical assistance (KSTA) from Asian Development Bank will increase enhanced teaching, learning, and support systems and instructional resources using ICT to develop students'' core competencies and reduce rural- urban disparities in primary education in Gansu Province, People's Republic of China (PRC) through policy advice, capacity development, and research.

Services Provided by NAREE

Assessment of existing teaching, learning, and support systems and instructional resources, and use of information and communication technology in primary education – NAREE will develop a gender-inclusive framework and tools for assessing existing systems, resources as well as the use of ICT, and support and guidance in data collection and analysis for the assessment to be conducted by the six advanced urban primary schools. A presentation of findings of the assessment at workshops and seminars with all the stakeholders will be organized.

Introduction of national and international good practices and lessons in building students' core competencies and addressing rural-urban disparities in primary education through the use of ICT – NAREE will prepare a call for papers nationally and internationally for a conference where case studies and research papers dealing with the development of core competencies and reduction of rural–urban disparities and gender gaps in primary education will be presented. Preparation of national and international tour for education administrators, primary school principals and teachers, and teacher training and research institutes in Lanzhou.

Pilot action of new or improved ICT-enabled teaching, learning, and support systems and resources in primary education – By supporting and guidance in preparing the concept, methodology, and work plan of two or three action research projects (of which at least one is gender-inclusive), NAREE will serve this pilot study as an example for other projects of primary education in Lanzhou or even Gansu province.