SHAPING NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY THROUGH DIGITAL LEARNING: THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN POLICY-MAKING FOR EDUCATIONAL EQUITY

Abstract

Digital learning technologies have increasingly emerged as critical tools in informing
education policy, particularly in fostering equity in education for countries with underresourced regions. This study explores how national education policies are influenced in
integrating technology as a catalyst in bridging the educational divide and improving
access to quality learning in an equitable manner. The quantitative survey method was
used whereby the study covered 1,200 policymakers and educators from 15 countries in
the Global South. Participants were selected based on involvement in the development of
education policy or the implementation of digital learning in their communities. Responses
were obtained through a structured questionnaire with respect to their perceptions about
the implications of technology-driven policies for educational equity. Results indicated that
85% of the participants perceive that, with the advent of digital learning platforms, the
access to education in distant and rural areas has increased phenomenally. Further, 78%
of the participants believed that digital tools have helped in reducing the gap in educational
outcomes between an urban and rural setup. In countries with strong policies related to
digital education, a resultant increase of 25% in enrollment was observed in marginalized
groups within two years of the adoption of that policy. Seventy percent of the respondents
also claimed that digital education has revolutionized learning outcomes, allowing
students with disabilities to be included more within mainstream education systems. The
study concluded by establishing that technology plays an important role in shaping the
equitable national policies of education. It is recommended that policymakers should focus
on strengthening the infrastructure of digitals, training teachers, and providing resources
to ensure inclusive education for all. Future research should now investigate the impact of
digital learning policies on educational equity in the long term, and their potential for
scalability across different national contexts.