SmartLabs, under the test of achievement - World Bank: Technology does not guarantee better results
Over 70,000 students in Albania have been involved in learning through 216 SmartLab intelligent laboratories, but beyond the scope of the program, a key issue still remains how to measure its real impact on students.
SmartLabs aim to develop digital skills from an early age, through programming, digital platforms, critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving. The World Bank has emphasized in a publication that equipping schools with technology does not automatically guarantee better learning outcomes.
Meanwhile, it is underlined that the effectiveness of such investments depends on teacher training, curriculum adaptation, functional internet, equipment maintenance and technical support in schools. Previous efforts to digitalize education in Albania have been limited and, according to the World Bank, their impact has not been fully assessed.
In a 2025 publication, the World Bank predicted that 216 SmartLabs would serve about 35,000 children by 2029, while in August of this year it reported that over 70,000 students are already involved. Also, in previous project implementation reports, the indicator for the number of SmartLab beneficiaries was still zero in some periods, although the labs had begun to be installed.
At this stage, according to the World Bank, the challenge is not just the number of labs or equipment distributed, but whether their use is translating into measurable improvements in students’ skills. The World Bank presents the program as an investment in preparing children for an increasingly digital economy, but long-term results will depend on the actual use of SmartLabs in the classroom and on how the knowledge and competencies acquired by students will be measured.
The US will pay 725 million USD to the UN - The figure represents about 20% of the total debt of 4 billion USD
The administration of US President Donald Trump has informed Congress that it will pay about $725 million to the United Nations, a move that experts describe......
How did the reform change the financial capacities of municipalities? - Report/ The difference between the units deepened. Human resources, a "challenge" for services
The 2014 administrative-territorial reform is estimated to have had a strong positive impact on increasing the financial capacities of......
500 million lek for the Himara-Potam promenade/ The project foresees panoramic views and green spaces
The Municipality of Himara has announced the opening of the competition for the construction of the Spile-Saraçinko pedestrian walkway with a limit fund of......
Life insurance, more of an obligation than a choice - AFSA: The vast majority of premiums are related to bank and microfinance loans
Albanians only insure their lives when they are forced to. The latest data from the Financial Supervisory Authority (AMF) shows that 83% of gross written......
What happened this week in the foreign exchange market?
The US dollar has started this week in negative values and in a weak position against the local currency, as it was bought today at 78.6 lek and sold at......
Danube, record low levels in Hungary - Water transport interrupted. Fears of significant economic damage grow
A prolonged heat wave and severe drought this summer have caused the Danube River to reach record low levels in Hungary, disrupting water transport and......
US, ready for major financial offensive - Iran threatens to stop all oil exports
The US threatened Iran with what it called "the largest financial offensive ever undertaken" as the country prepared to implement economic sanctions on......
25% of cars in Europe are electric - France and Germany drove growth in July
Registrations of battery electric vehicles in Europe continued to rise in July, accounting for more than one in four new units sold. Strong growth in France......
