You can now use your Macao One Account to access education-related services, Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) Educational Resources Department Chief Tang Wai Keong announced at a press conference yesterday.
‘My Education’, as the new function is called, is part of the government’s effort to digitise administrative procedures, reports the Macau Post Daily. It’s been designed for students, parents, teaching staff, schools and tertiary education institutions to perform a wide range of tasks and access useful information.
There are currently 16 features available via the app, expected to increase to 22 by the end of the year.
My Education enables students to apply for scholarships through their Macao One Accounts, for example. Parents can use the app to enrol their kids into kindergarten via the app, while teachers can use it to find out about job opportunities at private schools in Macao. It will also display students’ course attendance records.
From September, beneficiaries of the “Continuing Education and Development Programme” will be able to submit individual applications for subsidy payments to DSEDJ via the app.
As of this morning, the English-version of ‘My Education’ still had a mix of English and Portuguese language. The Chinese-language version seemed to be complete, however. Because Macao’s official languages are Chinese and Portuguese, English interfaces often are prioritised last.
[See more: You can now download your digital medical certificates from the Macao One Account]
At yesterday’s press conference, Tang noted that the Macao One Account allows residents to complete many administrative procedures without leaving their homes. He said the app makes these processes “much easier and inclusive”.
Nevertheless, residents spoken to by Macao News have expressed concerns about barriers posed by limited digital literacy. Less technologically savvy older people can feel they are being left behind, without support from the government.
Earlier this week, civic leaders met to discuss ways to make Macao One Account mobile apps more user-friendly.
