New online platform offers free courses to migrants and refugees
A new online platform that provides free access to education and training courses for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Westmeath and throughout Ireland has been launched.
SaorEd is a collaborative initiative between three Irish non-profit organisations; Westmeath-based New Horizon, Doras, and Dignity Partnership. It is built on the Kiron online learning platform which has been designed specifically for refugees and underserved communities and is already widely used in the Middle East and Europe.
SaorEd, available at www.saored.com, aims to provide free access to a range of entry-level and advanced courses. Initial offerings include English language courses, information technology (IT) skills, healthcare, and career preparation courses.
The courses on offer are mostly in English, with some in Arabic. Navigation interfaces are available in Arabic and Farsi and those behind the venture hope to expand the range of courses and languages on offer.
SaorEd is intended to fill the gaps in existing education and training programmes. While free English language classes are provided by the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and others, for example, places on these are often difficult to obtain. Yet, language skills are essential for the integration and wellbeing of protection applicants and refugees.
Athlone's Gerry Callaghan of New Horizon says SaorEd is an opportunity for people to access learning opportunities that may otherwise not be open to them due to cost, distance, childcare or language barriers.
"The refugee and asylum seeker community puts an incredible value on educational opportunities. I recall many years ago when a bus with asylum seekers arrived into Athlone into a bleak site of 100 mobile homes with just an industrial canteen and rain-swept tarmac.
"I distinctly recall people’s main concern was schooling for their children and I was struck by what a priority education was for people who value the opportunity to learn, grow and contribute,” he commented
Initial language courses provided on SaorEd include an introduction to the English language, intermediate English for University, English for Arabic speakers, and advanced English for the workplace. The IT Skills study track will cover basic digital skills (in English and Arabic), intermediate IT skills (including a course on ‘Living in a Digital World’), as well as more advanced courses like web design with HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
SaorEd provides study programmes using open online courses (MOOCs) from reputable education providers. The initial offerings are based on a survey of over 100 people who are in or have transitioned out of Direct Provision.
Over the coming months, the platform will be extended to include courses in other areas that will help open pathways to employment and further education.
“It is difficult for people living in remote areas, particularly Direct Provision centres, to access regular transport to attend in-person training. SaorEd can provide pathways to further education and employment for them.
"The platform is also of value to parents of young children who may not be able to access mainstream education during the day. It is also accessible to people who face financial barriers to education, who may not be entitled to the Back to Education Allowance, for example,” John Lannon, Doras CEO remarked.
Many of the SaorEd study programmes are offered exclusively to international protection applicants, with certificates provided to learners on completion.
By providing open access to online learning opportunities, it ensures that free education is available at any time, in any place to underserved communities.
For more see the www.saored.com website.