The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic reversed gains in learning outcomes in the primary schools on Réunion island. To embrace digital learning and address the severe impacts of the crisis, the municipality of Saint Paul decided to modernise outdated teaching tools through the integration of digital technology.

The objective was to meet the requirements of the Digital School Label and build resilience against the adverse consequences of future disruptions to education. It was also important for the solutions to be intuitive so the transition would be smooth for all users. Among the bids submitted through the public tender process, BenQ interactive displays for Education stood out as the ideal choice.

The choice of BenQ Education solutions was due to their competitive cost-effectiveness, reliability, TÜV-certified eye care features, energy efficiency, zero bonding technology for a natural writing experience, user-friendly convenience, and availability on the market. Teachers and students could now connect their devices directly to the interactive displays and experience a collaborative learning experience in the classrooms or remotely. 

Following the initiative to bring digital transformation to conventional primary schools, the municipality of Saint Paul in the Réunion island – one of the French overseas territories – chose to digitise education and earn the Digital School Label.

The funding of the project was through REACT-EU (Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe), a programme by the European Commission to repair the social and economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to prepare for a green, digital, and resilient recovery. This subsidy enabled Saint Paul to invest in digital infrastructure that would strengthen crisis-repair capacity and help the schools sustain learning.

By incorporating interactive displays, the project could align with REACT-EU’s goal of offering digital transformation and inclusive access to quality education, even in the most remote communities. Modern facilities could also allow remote learning to prevent the detrimental impacts of future crises on academic progress during school closures.

Thanks to the funding, the town hall launched an official public tender for the purchase of education solutions. The contract was awarded to Triaxe Réunion, BenQ’s regional reseller, whose proposal stood out for both cost-effectiveness and matching specifications. Moreover, the decision makers had a strong relationship with BenQ wholesalers, which meant that the reliability of BenQ had already been proven, and it could guarantee that the project would progress without constant oversight.

Furthermore, BenQ arranged remote pre-sales consultations to explain the benefits of interactive displays and the possibilities to make classrooms more collaborative. They also tailored their offer to the schools’ needs, including the addition of TDY31 Wi-Fi dongles, as internet access needed to be supported due to the newly upgraded school networks.

“With the BenQ Board and the Wi-Fi dongle working together, teachers can move freely, share content wirelessly, and keep lessons engaging without worrying about cables or connection issues. It’s a simple upgrade that makes a big difference in everyday teaching,” said the key account manager at BenQ France.

Another advantage was that BenQ could manage the logistics meticulously and plan a customised product transportation for the project. Two of the targeted schools were located deep within the Cirque de Mafate, a caldera on Réunion Island, accessible only on foot or by helicopter. Regardless of such logistical hurdles, BenQ ensured a highly coordinated delivery by air and installation of the devices.

Working closely with BenQ after winning the tender, Triaxe Réunion recommended 70 BenQ RE7503 interactive displays, with the built-in EZWrite 6 whiteboarding software, and TDY31 Wi-Fi dongles for uninterrupted internet connectivity. These solutions were installed in the schools on the planned time and replaced traditional whiteboards for a modern classroom experience. “EZWrite 6 was particularly appreciated for its intuitiveness and ease of use,” noted the BenQ key account manager. “It made the transition from analogue to digital teaching tools easy and effective.”

With the EZWrite 6 software, teachers can easily write, draw, import materials, slides, videos, and scanned books. Features like Floating Notes allow for annotations even over HDMI input, while the AI tools convert handwritten notes into text or perfect geometric shapes. They can use the expandable canvas, split the screen for competition, insert templates, use maths tools, or show a live camera feed.

To help with the adoption, BenQ offered training sessions to Triaxe Réunion and the school staff. These sessions covered everything they needed to work with hardware and software confidently. “BenQ provided us with adequate training on the use and installation of the interactive displays,” said Erchad Lery, Saint Paul’s Head of Digital School Mission.

The design of the BenQ Board Essential helps teachers Teach Their Way, but much smoother. They create an opportunity for the students to collaborate effectively and continue their learning process even during school closures. Their built-in TÜV-certified eye care solutions protect the eyesight of students and teachers when in use. Namely, the low blue light and flicker-free technologies help prevent eye strain while the anti-glare 4K screen offers crisp, clear images.

Through this project, Saint Paul met the Digital School Label criteria. They also provided equitable access to technology in remote and underserved areas of Réunion. This has been a foundational step to modernise educational institutions and minimise inefficiencies on the island.

Teachers appreciate the convenience of the pre-installed Education apps on the BenQ Boards. They find it easy to access images, videos, documents, and any lesson material they need. Parents are equally pleased, knowing that the digitisation won’t harm their children’s eyes thanks to the eye care technologies on the screens.

Saint Paul plans to issue more tenders to grow its digital classroom infrastructure. Triaxe Réunion is getting ready to help with this next phase. With plans like this, vulnerable areas will benefit from modern technology in classrooms. They will also mitigate the long-term repercussions of unexpected disruptions like large-scale pandemic outbreaks.