Suleman courts ministry of education with MobiSchool technology firm
As she continues engaging various stakeholders in the education sector, Minister of Education, Agnes NyaLonje, met a local technology firm, MobiSchool, which has developed a platform for solving some of the challenges faced by the education sector.
Led by its Chief Technology Officer, Daud Suleman, MobiSchool presented what it called a transformational platform to address the various challenges the country faces in providing lessons to learners and students in an easily accessible and affordable format.
According to Suleman, MobiSchool, is an integrated education delivery platform that enables learners from diverse backgrounds and socio-economic status, to access quality education content through a number of channels.
Said Suleman: “We will use such platforms as SMS, USSD, Voice, Smart App, FM broadcast, TV broadcast and a WhatsApp channel. The delivery of education content is on demand and uses a low-cost model for the learner.”
He said they will target the market that has over 9 million cellphones as their delivery will be accessible even on low cost mobile phones that have a basic technology interface.
Suleman who was accompanied by MobiSchool’s Chief Executive Officer, Aleksandr Kalanda, said they aim to digitize readily available learning materials and books for provision to learners and students disclosing that they already have an agreement with Jhango Heinemann to use their books.
He said they were looking at accessing more content through working with the Malawi Institute of Education (MIE), Malawi College of Distance of Education (MCDE) and other education institutions, the Ministry inclusive, in making sure that learning materials are readily available to learners and students.
Among others, Suleman also said the company would employ teachers to develop and synthesize content with the Ministry’s approval.
Deputy Minister of Education Madalitso Wirima Kambauwa said MobiSchool may provide an opportunity for solutions, especially with challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
NyaLonje thanked the team for the presentation and called for more technical discussions to see to what extent the Ministry can benefit from the proposed solutions.
It would be good if the ministry start building more school blocks. It’s like we are never ashamed. The US government is building school blocks for us but we need more especially in Primary. That should be the priority. So you want to digitize learning and yet our kids are learning under trees. Give Daud Suleman a position he should be busy with that but he should not be al over. This will end like crooks from the previous regime. Wake up MCP
What is this again?????
Podyera
Good ideas. But it seems this Suleman can use our money for his personal gain.
This is what we did and do not need to happen again. Think of someone out there in a typical village. How can she / he access such facilities? That platform you are talking about is only for the rich and not poor kids. Stop doing that honourable minister. Do not even dare to implement it. Just reopen the schools for every kid to access education.
are these guys not married to each other?