Transformations  in
Business & Economics

DEFEATING POVERTY THROUGH EDUCATION: THE ROLE OF ICT
Muhammad Aftab, Izlin Ismail

ABSTRACT. Information and communications technology (ICT) has emerged as a core driver of the modern knowledge based economy with its crucial role in the socioeconomic development and economic growth of a country. ICT based education and socioeconomic development programs provide innovative solutions to defeat poverty. Poverty is the worst dilemma of modern society, which is hard to be described and can only be felt well by the sufferer. Poverty accompanied with the illiteracy is a big challenge for the world peace and stability and possibly one of the major contributors in nurturing terrorism and instability. However, education is the primary driver in alleviating poverty and is linked directly with stability, growth and development of the country. Educated people get better jobs and vision to transform their lives, and they are as well more capable to positively contribute to the society. This research investigates the role of ICT in promoting education and eradicating poverty in the form of socio-economic development programs. The authors of this article focus on issues in forming ICT based educational and socio development initiatives, which can maximize the inclusion of the poor in the mainstream system and make them capable to change their destiny .

KEYWORDS: ICT, poverty, education, development, technology.

JEL classification: I25, I3, N7.