Reallocating resources for digitalisation in response to COVID-19: Health, education and Industry 4.0

The COVID-19 pandemic spurred rapid digitalisation worldwide, especially in the delivery of health and education services. This chapter explores the digitalisation of the health and education sectors in Emerging Asia. Country-level responses are examined, as are the challenges countries still face in this process, which will likely not be met for some time. Such challenges include poor infrastructure and affordability of access to digital services, which can exacerbate existing inequalities, or skill deficiencies in medical and educational staff that prevent the full potential of these technologies from being realised. The chapter explores possible solutions to these challenges, including the positive contribution of TVET to lifelong learning. The chapter also stresses the need for regional co-operation on cybersecurity and data privacy regulations to foster trust in digital systems. Finally, the chapter reviews each country’s state of play regarding Industry 4.0 and provides policy recommendations for completing the implementation process.