2013 – 2018 Report

shule directInnovating Education: Lessons Learnt

Colourful History, Bright Future…

TABL

E OF

CON

TENT

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Designing for Learners

Enriching the Ecosystem

A Bright Future

01 02 03 04INTRO

Pages 18–22Pages 14–17Pages 10–13Pages 6–9Pages 3–5

+ Using Accessible Platforms

+ Developing Relevant

Content

+ Case Study: Jifundishe CommunityLibrary

+ Generating Vocational

Content

+ Supporting Girl’s

Empowerment

+ Case Study: Enabling Teachers

+ Trail Blazing

+ Policy Advocacy

+ Joining the Dots

Leveraging Technology

+ Holistic Impact

+Thanks to our Partners

+Big Plans Ahead

+Vision of theFuture

+ The Issue+ The Spark+The Journey

THE ISSUE: EDUCATION IN TANZANIA

Source of data: MOEVT, Basic Education Statistics in Tanzania, 1998-2012 Photo courtesy of: Tanzanian Education Network

In 2012 education in Tanzania was in adesperate state. Secondary School passrate had dropped to just 6% and it wasclear that there was a problem in thesystem

This result was not an anomaly, but consistent with a downwardtrend in pass rates since 2007. From an outright failure (Div 0)rate of just 10% in 2007, the country saw 61% of candidatesfail their exams in 2012.

Changes in results were correlated with the large expansion ofthe education sector during this period. The number of examcandidates increased by a factor of nine, from 42,887candidates in 1998 to 397,126 candidates in 2012.

In addition to disparaging exam results, there were also reportsof high student and teacher absenteeism; high dropout rates;and high regional inequality.

24%12% 10%

61%

47% 50%55%

26%29%38% 36%

6%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%

1999 2004 2007 2012

Div 0 Div 4 Div 1-3

Tanzania is still facing many of the same challenges in its education system as five years ago and so the mission of Shule Direct is just as relevant as ever.

The mission of Shule Direct is: “To improve learning outcomes of primary and secondary students and teachers in Africa by creating new ways to deliver user centered educational content through available technology.”

Through our work, we support:

THE SPARK: HOW SHULE DIRECT CAME TO BEThe release of the Tanzanian Secondary School exam results in 2012 wasa wake-up call for the founders of Shule Direct. They knew that therehad to be a better way to educate the youth of the country. Thisphilosophy gave rise to Shule Direct and still drives our work today.

I cannot thank enough our partners who have been with us every step of the way. They have shown huge trust in our vision and together we have achieved extraordinary things. The lessons learned during our colorful history lay the foundations for a bright future.

- Faraja Kotta NyalanduFounder & Executive Director

As founder and Executive Directorof Shule Direct it has been myhonor to work with a trulyremarkable team over the lastfive years. The skill, passion anddedication fills me with a hugesense of pride.

“ ”

THE JOURNEY: OUR ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR…

Learners across Tanzania

It all began with a simple vision:To lead in improving the potentialof learners in Africa throughaccess to qualified and affordabledigital educational content.

72 Schools and Centres

We have enabled digital learning through Shule Direct platforms to:

1,489,982Users

24,637Teachers

Five years into it’s journey, Shule Direct hasbecome a thriving social enterprise that provideslocal, relevant, digital learning resources forlearners across Tanzania and Africa.We are working with the best teachers inTanzania to create multimedia content, web andmobile solutions. This provides learners theopportunity to learn anytime and anywhere.

Providing access to quality education has manyniches into which Shule Direct now ventures.Let’s take a safari through this ecosystem to seehow Shule Direct is creating an even brighterfuture for the learners of Africa.

Ë LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY Ë DESIGNING FOR LEARNERS Ë ENRICHING THE ECOSYSTEM

Leveraging Technology

01

+ Using Accessible Platforms+ Developing Relevant Content+ Case Study: Jifundishe Community Library

USING ACCESSIBLE PLATFORMSInitially the challenge was to plug holes in the Tanzanian National Education System caused bylack of public resources. During the first two years we focused solely on creating platforms tomake content available to learners. Over multiple iterations, these platforms have remained thebackbone of our work.

Mobile App for AndroidOur Android App was launched in December 2016. It was immediately popular, reaching 10,000 downloads within just 3 months

Mobile App for iOSOur iOS App is the latest addition to the portfolio. It enables students and teachers to learn, revise and share over 11 Secondary School subjects.

Offline Learning Management SystemThe offline learning management system covers the entire secondary school curriculum for Tanzania with text-based notes, 3D science diagrams and revision quizzes.

Makini Text Message ServiceThe SMS platform is accessible to both smartphones and feature phones reaching out to low income communities. It has 60,000 subscribers and 14,830 impact users that attempt a minimum of 3 quizzes in a day.

www.shuledirect.co.tz

Through a partnership with Facebook’s Internet.org, the Shule Direct website is available on Free Basics, a service that is currently available on Tigo and Airtel Networks in Tanzania without any data charges.

DESIGNING WITH OUR USERS FOR RELEVANT CONTENT

Even with the appropriate platforms, it canoften be challenging to generate contentwhich is contextual and appropriate forthe learner. At Shule Direct, we haveworked hard to put the learner first…

The web platform not only provides content for 13subjects on the Tanzanian National Curriculum, italso provide extracurricular support towards youthdevelopment such as financial literacy, life skills andgirls leadership. It enables students to interactthrough a discussion forum that is moderated byShule Direct’s genius teacher:Ticha Kidevu.

Ticha Kidevu provides students with agency to ask questions, exchange ideas and explore

topics of interest.

Case Study: Jifundishe Community LibraryWith a net enrolment rate for upper secondary education of just3.2% in Tanzania, Shule Direct helps organizations like Jifundishe tooffer individuals a second chance at learning.

The Shule Direct Offline LearningManagement System enables Jifundishe tooffer support in gaining access to contentdespite having dropped out of school.Members are given the opportunity tobroaden their horizons, learn to benefittheir community and become truly globalcitizens.

Jifundishe caters for:

• Adults taking Qualifying Tests to get a Secondary Education certificate

• 100+ registered individuals each year

• Learners from 13 to 54 years old

Jifundishe (the Swahili word meaning“teach yourself”) is a grass rootsorganization based in NorthernTanzania. Founded in 2004, Jifundisheruns a free library for those who haveexperienced barriers to educationthrough financial, geographic, andresource constraints.These individuals are not only availingthemselves of a better education, buthoning their digital skills and becomingcontent creators.

Shule Direct gives Jifundishe a cost effective way to keep up with curriculum changes without needing to regularly re-buy text books

Photo courtesy of: Jifundishe

Designing for Learners

02

+ Generating Vocational Content+ Supporting Girl’s Empowerment + Case Study: Enabling Teachers

GENERATING VOCATIONAL CONTENT

Following the initial successof the academic content, westarted to look at other gapsin competencies and life skillsexhibited by some younglearners. This led us toworking in partnership with adiversity of organisations,from Camara Education toTigo Telecom.

Once the basic platforms and content were created, we swiftly moved on to the challenge of creating content which would help in the wider education of learners in Tanzania.

Shule Direct and NationalMicrofinance Bank Plc (NMB) havelaunched Financial Education on ShuleDirect digital learning platforms toempower young people with moneymanagement skills and incorporate asavings culture in Tanzania.The interactive online and mobileSMS content teaches youth onsetting goals, working towards them,learning about best practices insaving and fulfilling their dreams.ShuleShule Direct has successfullycurated the content and made itavailable to its growing database ofover 300,000 users.

…and the financial acumen and backing of one of

Tanzania's biggest banks…

Through a combination of the expertise of Shule

Direct in digital education…

Learners are now able to access a fresh new way of learning about

personal finances

During the last five years we have created:

• Content for improved leadership skills

• Programs of activities to encompass life skills and reproductive health

• Platforms through which learners can develop financial literacy

Shule Direct

Supporting girls’ empowermentCommon issues in the education of Girls include: barriers to access; culturalpressures; and inequalities in agency. At Shule Direct, we set out to break downthese barriers by generating avenues through which girls can access contentrelevant to them.

Life SkillsThe Foundation For Tomorrow is our

partner in the Life Skills Program through which we create

extracurricular content to support all learners. This content has been shown to be particularly useful to girls and women who use the Shule

Direct platforms.

A business incubator for young women designed to nurture innovative early-stage businesses with high growth potential through a comprehensive business support program. It provides access to workspace, business development and information along with a mentorship support.Safe Spaces

Through partnership with CAMFED, Shule Direct distributed

E-Readers loaded with offline learning content to enable girls

to access education whenever and wherever is most convenient for

them.

Shule Direct is one of the most relevant organizations working in girl’s empowerment in the whole of Tanzania right now.

- David McGintyTeam Leader, HDIF

“”

Innovation begins with a dream

I am the subject matter expert behind Shule Direct’s Geography content. Knowing that a teacher’s impact to a student is for eternity makes me strive to be the best that I can be for my students.

At one time, Shule Direct staff would arrive atschools to find computers locked in a non-functioning computer lab or crammed up in theSchool Principal’s office. As much as we werehaving an increasing number of users on the web,what we were seeing in schools called forsolutions.For many, there was a lack of digital skills and ageneral technophobia towards using computers.ICT was seen as a separate function and notrelated to the core academic or performancefunctions of the school.Our Teachers Resource Centre is a platform forteachers to create, publish (and sell) theircontent. It is also a space for peer-to-peernetworking and sharing.Through the platform we have seen new learningbehaviors, improvement in digital skills andintroduction of new teaching pedagogies.

AT SHULE DIRECT WE BELIEVE IN PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS AS WELL AS THEIR LEARNERS. ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN INCREASE THE REACH AND IMPACT OF THE TECHNOLOGY WE CREATE.

“

”

CASE STUDY: ENABLING TEACHERS

- Madam JudithContent Creator, Shule Direct and Teacher at Feza Secondary School

Enriching the Ecosystem

03

+ Trail Blazing+ Policy Advocacy+ Joining the Dots

TRAIL BLAZINGShule Direct does not just wait for change to happen or to be shown the path. Aspioneers of the digital education space, we take risks on behalf of our beneficiariesand learn quickly from experience. It is with this agility that we are able to innovateand develop best practice.

From the outset, Shule Direct wrestled with attempts to'innovate right’. Our approach was underpinned by a desireto make mistakes and create a platform for theorganization to learn.This pioneering spirit is what has made Shule Direct theorganization it is today. We have been recognised throughseveral awards including Women in Tech – Apps Africa2016, Hall of Fame – Website of the Year TanzaniaLeadership Awards, Tanzania Women of AchievementAwards – Women in ICT Award, Segal Family Foundation –Systems Innovator Award, 2019 Builders of Africa’s FutureAwards.

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

POLICY ADVOCACY

The Tanzanian EducationNetwork (TENMET) is a nationalgroup of 181 organizationsengaged in creating equitableaccess to quality education.Through research, capacitybuilding, knowledge sharing andgovernment lobbying, the groupseek to use evidence-basedmethods to generate innovativechanges. Shule Direct are atthe forefront of this innovationand represent TENMET on anyissue to do withE-Learning.

Secondly, we are members of theRegional Education Learning Initiative(RELI), Initiative formed by educationalmember organizations in East Africa forthe aim of empowering them to becomeeffective and influential organizations.

Thirdly, we are engaged through the ThePolicy Forum, which is a network ofTanzanian Civil Society Organisations thatare drawn together to influence policyprocesses that help in poverty reduction,equity and democratisation.

Shule Direct uses these for a as a way tospecifically advance the role of technologyin education in Tanzania. We do this bydriving conversation as to the bestpractices and approaches. This frequentlyinvolves working on cross cutting issueswithin education, technology and innovation.

Through involvement in many niches, Shule Direct is able to offer a unique perspective

“We consider Shule Direct to be ‘Digital Education Gurus’ for everyone in our sector”

- Cathleen SekwaoNational Coordinator, TENMET

JOINING THE DOTS

We actively bring together like-minded organizations to solve problems in the Tanzanian Education Sector.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Through our tireless pursuitof new and better platforms,content and partnerships,Shule Direct is now consideredto be an industry leader inthe Digital Education spaceand is able to offer both freeand commissioned advice toothers.

MULTI-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS

In total, Shule Direct has dozensof partnerships at a national andregional level. We value ourpartnerships and recognize thatwe would not be as strong as weare without the are withoutengagement with each of thepublic, private and third sectors.

Whether driving the discussionthrough social media channels, orrepresenting stakeholders indigital education fora, ShuleDirect is recognized to be anindustry leader.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

A Bright Future04

+ Holistic Impact+ Big Plans Ahead+ Vision of the Future

I thought that computers were only for playing games. I am grateful for the

training received, and now I know that I can use a computer to learn

Veronica, a Form III student atEmanyata Secondary School benefitedfrom Shule Direct tuition through theUNESCO – SAMSUNG Digital Village inLoliondo District, Arusha.

Projects like this are reducing barriers toeducation for thousands of girls andwomen across Africa. It is giving secondchances to those who did not have theopportunity the first time, and bringingjoy back into learning.

Young women like Veronica, and manyother learners will advance in theireducation supported by the holistic workof Shule Direct.

Stakeholder Dialogue

Reduced Barriers

Accessible Platforms

Energized Partners

Relevant Content

Policy Change

Engaged Teachers

“”

HOLISTIC IMPACT

We would like to take the time to sincerely thank all of our partners and supporters for their continued

commitment to improving education in Africa.

As the term ‘Ubuntu’ teaches us:

“We are what we are because of you!”

BIG PLANS AHEAD

Using an innovativemethod of learnercentric designing, ShuleDirect has managed todrive platforms, productsand initiatives to benefitall stakeholders in theeducation ecosystem

Some of the avenues pursued alongthis initial phase will not bedeveloped further, but all will formthe basis for our next period ofgrowth. The organization haslearned huge lessons throughout thelast five years and will continue todo so into the future. Theorganisation intents to continue itsmission and develop into new anduntapped niches across the Africancontinent in the years to come.

Launching into new ecosystems in

Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda

Reaching over 500 Secondary Schools

in Tanzania

Creating learning content for

Primary Schools, Advanced High

School Levels and young

entrepreneurs for beyond school

support.Shule Direct has plans to develop and grow by: 21 3

VISI

ON

OF

THE

FUTU

RE

Our journey has only just begun…Shule Direct has a vision of Africa where every child is able to access quality education no matter who they are or where they are from. From our colorful history, we are building a bright future for all!

This we will achieve through our values of:User-centric | Innovation | Quality | Collaboration | Agility

Asante

© 2018 All rights reserved

shule direct

www.shuledirect.co.tz

@shuledirect

@shuledirect

@shuledirect

www.linkedin.com/company/shule-direct/

539 Old Bagamoyo Road Msasani Village, P. O. Box 105821 Dar es Salaam, (+255) (0) 745 904 152,(+255) (0) 675 904 152info@shuledirect.co.tz