Have you heard about the National Digital Education Policy? The program, established in January 2023, aims to expand Brazilians’ access to technology 

This Policy presents some structuring axes and objectives that depart from the principles of inclusion, education, training, specialization and digital research.

Even before becoming a program, the Ramacrisna Institute already applied the guidelines provided for in this Policy in its projects in the technology area, collaborating for the greater insertion of young people in the digital world.  

Want to know more? Continue reading and find out the importance of digital education for building a more inclusive future in Brazil. 

National Digital Education Policy: what is it? 

Also known by the acronym PNED, the National Digital Education Policy was structured from the articulation between programs, projects and actions of different federal entities, areas and government sectors. Its objective is to improve the access of the Brazilian population to digital resources, tools and practices, with priority given to vulnerable populations.

Thus, the National Policy on Digital Education revolves around the development of digital skills in basic education up to elementary school, including teaching computing, programming and robotics. 

Digital education goes beyond the ability to access the internet, its importance can be understood from the perspective of social change. Technology enables interactivity with the world, facilitates access to information and influences how we interact with other people. Being connected means creating new forms of communication and expanding personal and professional relationships. 

Therefore, the implementation of this program is extremely relevant for the national scenario, as it means reducing inequality of access. 

At Instituto Ramacrisna, we know the importance of digital education. Most of the strategies provided for in the National Digital Education Policy are already part of the projects we develop.

Check below some axes established by the project. 

Digital education and inclusion 

The first axis of the National Digital Education Policy deals with guaranteeing access to digital technologies and knowledge for all layers of the population.

In this way, everyone should be able to make use of digital means to inform themselves, communicate and work.

School Digital Education

The second axis of the National Policy on Digital Education deals with offering digital education to the population. The aim is to promote the teaching of computing, robotics, programming and other digital skills at all levels of education.

Digital Training and Specialization

This axis seeks to train the Brazilian population of working age, providing opportunities for the development of digital skills for full insertion in the world of work.

Digital search

The last foundation of the project aims to develop and promote accessible and inclusive ICTs. It is an incentive to research and study.

Inserting the National Digital Education Policy in schools and institutes can be a challenge. According to Fábio, coordinator of the Fablab Ramacrisna laboratory, the greatest difficulty comes from the teachers themselves, who teach in public schools.  

Because they are not prepared and trained, the vast majority still use blackboard and chalk. Lack of training and qualification of teachers to promote digital education in classrooms. 

National Policy on Digital Education and Ramacrisna 

Nowadays, when we talk about education, we have to talk about technology. After all, generation Z is born into a digital world, where it is common for us to carry out most of our day-to-day tasks online. 

Therefore, for teaching to keep pace with technology, young people need access to information and, of course, to digital education, even more so when we think of vulnerable populations. 

Ramacrisna took the lead by already applying this proposed format in the National Digital Education Policy. Institute students already have access to technologies from the age of 6, through our Ramacrisna Educational Support Center (CAER). 

Among the actions and courses promoted by the Institute, we highlight: 

• Net Girls Project: Technology, programming and mobile application development workshop for girls aged 14 to 17, supported by Criança Esperança;  
• Check Mate Project: activity with chess and educational robotics classes using LEGO kits, supported by Vale;  
• Computer Operator and Local Networks Course: prepares professionals to assemble, install and repair microcomputers, identifying software and hardware problems. They are also capable of supporting local computer networks. Supported by Laborclínica.  
• 3D Modeling and Printing Course: create and model three-dimensional drawings to be printed on 3D printers, supported by Hotmart;
• Discover Project – Application and website development course for young people in a socio-educational measure that enables the reintegration of students into society, supported by the MPT – Public Ministry of Labor and the Municipality of Betim;
• Autocad course: for students aged 15 to 29 who learn to develop house plans, interior design and civil and mechanical engineering pieces, supported by Hotmart and Instituto Localiza; 
• Industrial Robotics course that prepares professionals to work in several areas of the automation industry (PLC programmer, robot programmer and industrial electrician). Supported by NTS, Instituto Localiza, Comau, Belgo, Schunk, EP + Automação, Rotary BH Liberdade and Rotary Foundation. 
• Literacy table and digital whiteboard for children. 

The projects mentioned above have something in common that goes beyond digital education: they are all developed at FabLab Ramacrisna. 

FabLab Ramacrisna is a space for digital fabrication aimed at children, young people and adults in situations of social vulnerability. It was created and developed by the Institute to stimulate creativity and knowledge through practice, transforming ideas into reality.

With an area of ​​500m², the laboratory offers the most modern and advanced technology, with tools and materials for the rapid production of objects through prototyping. 

The space has 6 3D printers, 5 virtual reality glasses, a CNC Laser Cutting Router, 18 tablets, computers and 8 Lego kits for the practice of Educational Robotics. This equipment will enable the opening of new professional courses, totally free and with high demand in the market.

Its objective is to promote professional qualification and digital inclusion, through learning robotics, programming and basic and intermediate knowledge in technology. Thus, Ramacrisna manages to take innovation and cutting-edge technology beyond regional, social and economic borders.

We at the Ramacrisna Institute rely on our partners to carry out projects and actions that help change the lives of many people. Be a transforming agent of the reality of children, young people and adults and do your part to promote digital education. 

Your help is extremely important to promote equal opportunities and build a fairer future. Get in touch with us and learn how to collaborate.