The potential and challenges of using technology for education in conflict zones or areas facing environmental crises: A case South African University

In conflict zones and regions, technology has emerged as a crucial tool for continuing education, offering alternative methods of learning when traditional educational systems are disrupted. The potential of digital platforms—such as online learning, mobile education apps, and virtual classrooms—allows for the continuity of education despite physical school closures, displacement, and political instability (UNESCO, 2020). Technology can provide remote access to resources, bridge geographical divides, and connect students with teachers and educational content, thereby ensuring that learning continues even in the midst of social and environmental crises (Reilly & Maynard, 2020). Moreover, in areas where educational infrastructures are destroyed or underdeveloped due to conflict or environmental disasters, digital tools can offer a more flexible and scalable solution to meet the educational needs of displaced populations or those living in volatile conditions (Kumar, 2019). However, the use of technology in such settings is fraught with challenges such as the digital divide.