Schools without power or internet access will now access interactive classes after the Vodafone Foundation introduced Instant Classroom lite platform.
The platform is designed for teaching lessons to large class sizes in refugee camps. It includes a server with mobile educational content that teachers can access locally.
Vodafone Foundation Director Andrew Dunnet said: “Instant Classroom Lite builds on our Instant Network Schools programme, which has already provided an internet education to around 60,000 young refugees living in Dadaab Refugee camp.”
The Instant Classroom Lite kit has a projector and audio system, 3G and 4G connectivity and a laptop server preloaded with educational content. It can be powered using a solar panel, a mains socket or a 12V car socket and stays powered for four hours of use.
The equipment can be set up in just 10 minutes and can be easily transported between schools in a refugee settlement.
The foundation has at the same time created an Instant Charge, a durable and portable outdoor mobile charger that can charge 66 devices simultaneously.
“The equipment was developed to support the UN High Commissioner for Refugees work on the shores of Europe where, despite good mobile coverage, there has been limited infrastructure in camps for refugees to charge their phones,” Dunnet said.
Tens of thousands of refugees will benefit from Instant Charge in a number of locations. The equipment will also be used to support the Vodafone Foundation’s disaster relief work.