A Rwandan education technology company, Eneza Education has launched an SMS based platform for learning in the country.
In the first phase of its launch last week, students were given the privilege to ask a pool of teachers questions and receive answers. In the second phase of the launch which is set to take place in November, students will access lessons and quizzes aligned to the Rwanda curriculum.
Eneza Education is an ed-tech company founded in 2013 that provides curriculum-aligned revision material in all subjects for primary and secondary learners on any device and currently operational in Kenya, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire. Its virtual tutor provides access to curriculum-aligned content in all subjects for learners in primary and secondary on SMS and Web.
The firm has partnered with Mastercard Foundation to launch an SMS-based learning platform, Shupavu, in Rwanda that will enable students to remain engaged with their studies while waiting for schools to re-open and also enable revision from home when schools re-open.
The launch of Shupavu in Rwanda is part of the Mastercard Foundation’s COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program which has two main goals.
The programme aims at delivering emergency support for health workers, first responders, and students as well as strengthening the diverse institutions that are the first line of defense against the social and economic aftermath of this disease.
The SMS platform will provide access to the ‘Ask a Teacher’ feature where students can ask questions to a pool of teachers and receive responses via SMS shortcode 2910 on the MTN network.
From November 1, students will be able to access lessons and quizzes aligned to the Rwandan curriculum via the same shortcode. The service will be free to students in Upper Primary and Lower Secondary till 31st July 2021.
Students will register using their identification number used when accessing the Rwanda Education Board (REB) eLearning platform.
The Chief Executive of Eneza Education, Wambura Kimunyu said that the platform is available on any mobile phone however basic, and is linked to e-learning platforms by REB.
The intervention has leveraged the most widely available tools and technologies to support continued learning for those who would otherwise be left behind complimenting lessons being broadcast via Radio by the REB to students.
Rica Rwigamba, Mastercard Foundation Country Head in Rwanda the approach to use SMS as opposed to data or connectivity aims to make it accessible to the majority of households including the most vulnerable.
Rwigamba said, “While many educational technologies rely on an internet connection, Eneza is fairly unique in its focus on enabling learning via SMS with no data or connectivity requirement. This makes it accessible to the majority of households, including the most vulnerable. We’ve seen how impactful this model has been in Kenya and other countries and look forward to seeing it support thousands, if not more, of young Rwandans.”
Christine Niyizamwiyitira, Head of the Department of ICT in Education at Rwanda Education Board said that the new platform will complement other initiatives such as TV and Radio lessons.
Niyizamwiyitira said, “Using low-tech is key to ensure wide access. Ongoing TV and Radio lessons will be complemented by Eneza education’s SMS based platform by adding interaction between teachers and students. Furthermore, SMS based lessons and assessment delivery will support our eLearning to reach as many students as possible.”
