Policy Survey on School Education in the Digital Age

The “Policy Survey on School Education in the Digital Age” Report by the OECD gathered information from 37 jurisdictions to explore how digital education is being integrated into primary and secondary schools. Conducted as of January 2025, it examined policies related to digital devices, software, and online resources. The survey aimed to provide insights into current practices, support international learning among education systems, and help governments shape effective strategies for the digital transformation of education.

The results show that many jurisdictions have placed digital education high on their policy agendas, with a mix of dedicated strategies and broader plans that include digital priorities. These strategies often come with funding, timelines, and assigned responsibilities, though fewer systems have strong monitoring or evaluation mechanisms. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are increasingly mentioned in policies, but detailed plans or targets for their use remain uncommon. Schools are also encouraged, to varying degrees, to align their own strategies with national or central-level goals. Support for teachers and changes to teaching practices are widespread, with most systems offering training, guidance, and online platforms to enhance digital education. Curricula are being updated to include digital skills, though interactive elements and formal assessments of these skills are less common. Governance tends to rely on guidelines rather than binding rules, and while data protection is broadly covered, enforcement and quality checks for digital resources vary. Funding and procurement approaches differ across jurisdictions, often requiring collaboration between central authorities and schools. While many systems promote student access to devices, gaps remain for disadvantaged learners. Efforts to build the digital capacity of teachers and school leaders are growing, though participation is often voluntary and certification limited. Monitoring and evaluation of digital education are in place in some systems but tend to focus narrowly on digital skills rather than broader student outcomes.

Overall, the survey highlights significant progress in advancing digital education while also revealing key areas for improvement to ensure equitable, effective, and sustainable integration of technology in schools.