NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Friday, May 31, 2019

Well-considered investments in digital technology can be transformational for health and education services across the developing world, but too often they fail to deliver impact at scale, according to research released today by the Oxford University-based Pathways for Prosperity Commission on Technology and Inclusive Development.

Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Pathways Commission, said: “Better health and education for young people—the twin engines of what economists call “human capital”—could drive the next phase of economic progress in developing countries, but only if governments design policies to ensure technology reaches the most marginalized communities.”

The commission’s new report, Positive disruption: health and education in a digital age, has found that silver bullet initiatives, focusing only on technological hardware, such as introducing laptops in classrooms, are often not effective beyond the initial pilot.

Photo courtesy of Siyavula Education.