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The programme was organised within the framework of the Giga Initiative, jointly implemented by UNICEF and ITU (International Telecommunications Union), with the aim of providing internet access to all schools by 2030, and thus access to opportunities and information needed for learning in the 21^st century.

The Declaration of Commitment on Transformation of Education endorsed by the Ministries of Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina placed an emphasis on initiation of digitalisation activities in education. Investments in teaching staff capacity development at all levels of education by strengthening digital competencies required to achieve a good-quality education process in the 21^st century, endeavouring to ensure unhindered access to digital learning through development and application of fundamental technical standards for information and communication technologies in the education system of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ensuring good-quality infrastructure and access to the internet for all schools are all necessary to improve the digitalisation process in education, and thus the quality of education.

In cooperation with all competent education authorities, the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs will continue to undertake activities that lead to improving the quality of education, aware that, in addition to being a fundamental human right, education is also a driver of social and economic development – said Adnan Husić, Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Integration of advanced technological solutions through cooperation among education institution, private sector and governmental bodies enables an accelerated modernisation of education process. The BiH Ministry of Communications and Transport may offer critical support through the development of broadband internet infrastructure, e-learning and digital platforms, as well as by providing resources for training of teaching staff. Such coordinated efforts not only improve the quality of education, but also ensure more equal access to educational resources, thus preparing young people for the labour market in digital age – said Vlatko Drmić, Assistant Minister of Transport and Communications of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Since the early stage of the cooperation with UNICEF BiH, the Regulatory Agency for Communications recognised the significance of multi-sectoral cooperation with a view of advancing digitalisation in education in Bosnia and Herzegovina where connecting all primary and secondary schools to the internet is the core prerequisite to achieve this goal. Therefore, we are very satisfied with the joint participation of the institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina in this programme under the Giga Initiative. The Agency will continue to provide support within its competence to connect schools to the internet, together with other BiH institutions and with UNICEF BiH and Giga Initiative, said Zlatan Salihović, Expert Advisor in the Agency.

On 23 May, an official event within the programme was held in Barcelona when the new Giga map was officially launched in which all primary and secondary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina are marked, as the first non-EU country that joined this global initiative.

The access to and participation in the global Giga Initiative is the indicator of the maturity and strategic commitment of the institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to an efficient, child-friendly digital transformation process in education.

UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina is looking forward to witnessing multi-sectoral partnerships and initiatives and will remain a committed partner to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s institutions in the following stages of digital transformation in education that will enhance learning opportunities in the 21^st century.