Shanghai offers online access to educational services

Children, parents and teachers interact through the “home-school interactive” system

If you live in Shanghai, communication has never been this easy: since 2007, the city offers its “home-school interactive” system, an online service provided to pre-school, primary, and secondary school children. The system is truly user friendly: with a simple click, the latest school news and information is available on the computer screen. Each user has its own personalized page and can browse through photo albums, chat in class forums and express themselves by posting information online.

The platform fulfills an educational function too: when students post information, it can be commented and revised by the parents and the teachers. It thus improves the children’s interests in studying; likewise, it allows parents to obtain advice and suggestions from the teachers to better tutor their children’s homework. Mr. Li, the proud father of twin daughters, really likes that, at the tip of his fingers, he can access all the useful information that pertains to his children. He also appreciates that the services are offered by the Shanghai authorities, as this gives him a sense of security.

The platform also offers free communication and information services, which can be personalized for children, parents and teachers. Concurrently, it allows useful information such as homework, teaching points, extra-curricular activities, individual test scores, etc., to be sent to parents - by email or SMS (named “home-school Tong”, the SMS platform is supported by Shanghai Mobile).

Two years after the start of its operations, the “home-school interactive” system can already boost impressive results: more than 90% of students and parents from downtown schools, more than 80% of students and parents from urban area schools, and more than 70% of students’ parents in childcare institutions use the system. The service now covers over 1,500 primary and secondary schools in Shanghai.

In the future, there is much hope that the System will expand its outreach to many more countries, so that one day, every city can enjoy the benefits of the the technology, thus allowing for "better cities, better lives".

For more information, please contact the UNIDO China Office.  

or UNIDO Asia Programme

Official website of Shanghai Expo 2010

Official website of UN Pavilion