Education and the development of digital competences in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean considers the digital divide to be one of the structural gaps reflected in the development models of Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite the expansion of digital connectivity and equipment, gaps remain with regard to access, use of digital tools and especially competences that would allow the entire population to benefit from the opportunities of the digital age. It is essential to invest in people and their education from childhood to address this gap and advance towards digital inclusion as part of inclusive social development. This document examines the role of the education system in building digital competences among the new generations. First, it systematizes the main internationally developed frameworks for digital competences, then it presents an assessment of the opportunities for developing technological competences on the basis of the information drawn from the PISA 2022 measurement carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The document concludes with some reflections on how training in digital competences can be strengthened in the region’s schools.