Educational novelty at primary level: the Digital Learning Laboratory replaces the Early Digital Learning Program

The Ministry of Education has validated the transformation of the Early Digital Learning Program (EDLP) into the Digital Learning Laboratory (DLL). This initiative marks a decisive step towards structured, sustainable and pedagogically-centered digital education, with reinforced monitoring and progressive integration into classes.

Schools will gradually have to set up Digital Learning Laboratories as shared resource centers. They will adopt adapted timetables to guarantee regular and structured use of tablets in the different classes and subjects.

An awareness session will be organized with school heads and inspectors to explain how the DLL works. The latter must ensure effective implementation through regular monitoring.

The transformation of EDLP into DLL represents a strategic turning point in the digitalization of education in Mauritius. While the first phase of the EDLP program allowed the introduction of tablets in primary schools, experience has shown that access to digital tools does not automatically guarantee an improvement in academic results. The DLL project intends to go beyond the simple distribution model to establish a structured, sustainable and educationally relevant digital ecosystem.

The DLL is based on a new political orientation: “Pedagogy first, technology second”. The objective is to ensure effective integration of digital tools in teaching and learning, through structured implementation, continuous monitoring, institutional accountability and strengthening of teacher skills. The DLL is not designed as a simple Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, but as an active learning environment promoting student engagement, creativity, a spirit of inquiry, collaboration and educational differentiation.

The project also responds to the challenges encountered during the EDLP phase: disparities in use between schools, educational constraints, limited monitoring, sustainability problems, maintenance difficulties, insufficient connectivity and the need for greater ownership at the establishment level.

As part of the DLL, schools will gradually establish structured digital spaces, starting with the lower primary cycle, then extending the system to the upper cycle from 2028. The model includes personalized timetables, regular digital training sessions, continuing training for teachers, equipment audits, content development and reinforced collaboration with the authorities concerned.

Phased implementation between 2026 and 2028 will allow for gradual deployment, close monitoring and continuous adjustments. The DLL not only represents a name change, but also a reversion