Edulution inspires

Edulution is an extra-curricular programme that caters for primary school learners.
ELIZABETH JOSEPH
Justicia Shipena





On 2 July the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group launched the Edulution Mobile Learning Centre at Havana Primary School in Windhoek.

Edulution offers a platform to assist learners from vulnerable communities with new ways of learning mathematics across grades 4 to 6 through the use of various information and communications technology (ICT) tools.

This digital platform runs afterschool numeracy and literacy programmes in Zambia and recently numeracy programmes in Katutura. Since its inception in 2015 it has provided foundational learning to over 12 000 children and achieved impressive results due to its unique combination of technology, exciting content, effective coaching and comprehensive performance measurement system.

In Zambia, Edulution grade 7 learners are outperforming their peers by 25% in the national maths exams. The Edulution programme caters for grades 3 to 7 in groups of 30 to 40 learners.

Head of marketing and communications at Edulution, Michael Clarke, said they have opened six centres in Katutura in the last three months and are now reaching in excess of 1 600 learners.

“We are opening another three centres in the near future in Windhoek and will expand into the rural Khomas district in 2020; we are planning on doubling our learner volume again,” he said.

Clarke added that the model uses a unique mix of technology, enterprising coaches and evidence-based analytics that enable learners to revise and master essential foundation numeracy, which also enables teachers to deliver on their curriculum objectives.

“Edulution is founded on empowering values that are lived every day. Indeed these values fuel all we do,” Clarke said.

Education executive director Sanet Steenkamp said there has been an improvement in the performance of learners in national standardised achievement tests in English, mathematics and science for grade 7 by 15%.

Steenkamp also stressed there has been an increase in access to primary education by 0.2% and educational institutions with access to ICT by 35%.

“The African Union’s Agenda 2063 has a goal to produce well-educated citizens and a skills revolution underpinned by science, technology and innovation, hence countries are expected to work in that line,” she said.

She further said the ministry introduced early grade reading assessments (EGRA), literacy programmes for the parents of learners in grade 1, as well as a reading period at all levels of schooling in formal education.

Steenkamp said the inclusion of learners with special needs in Edulution programmes must not be overlooked in efforts to change the performance of learners.

Speaking at the event, O&L Group executive chairman Sven Thieme said they are inspired to play a part in education and skills development.

“We must therefore put the necessary resources behind education and skills development, so that our people are empowered and equipped to fill the skills gap we are faced with,” he said.

Thieme urged the learners to step outside their comfort zones and never stop stretching their boundaries.