iMlango wins “Best e-learning platform” award at the Digital Inclusion Awards

We are delighted to share with you that iMlango was announced as the winner of the "Best e-learning platform" award at the Digital Inclusion Awards in Nairobi last week. 

The Digital Inclusion Awards recognises the key players in various sectors that have adopted digital technology to offer products or services in a more convenient manner, and which have changed the lives of their clients or end-users.

An integral part of the iMlango programme, the interactive e-learning platform has delivered specialist educational content digitally to over 190,000 marginalised children, in 205 schools, over the past three years to help improve learning outcomes.

Anthony Kogi, Ernest Dishon and Wambui Maina from sQuid Kenya collect the award on behalf of the programme.

Commenting on the award win, Cecilia Wakahiu, Head, National ICT Innovation and Integration Centre, Ministry of Education, said: “Learning in the internet age means pupils must acquire the much needed 21st century skills. iMlango’s e-learning platform has delivered engaging educational content to the classroom to help improve mathematics and literacy levels, and pupils have developed digital skills too.”

“The e-learning platform has really brought a fresh approach to learning in Kenya. The versatile platform has enabled teachers to be more innovative in the way they deliver their lessons. This is one of the best e-learning platforms that we have tested and rolled out at the Ministry.”
 

Simon Kaniu, General Manager of sQuid Kenya, added: “I am extremely proud that iMlango has won this award and I would like to congratulate and personally thank the iMlango consortium partners and the Ministry of Education, as without their support the platform would not have made such a positive impact to the iMlango pupils’ lives.”
 

A big congratulations and thank you to everyone involved in the programme – keep up the great work!
 

The iMlango Team

iMlango Junior Debaters Contest - Competition Two: The journey so far...

The second round in competition two of the iMlango Junior Debaters Contest took place last month, and we were delighted by the entries we received.

The teams were set the motion: The girl child is more favoured than the boy child. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

We received some incredible responses from the 61 teams who participated; 44 of whom supported the motion while 17 were opposed.

Continuing their success from competition one, the aptly named ‘Champions’ from Kibaokiche primary school in Kilifi county, were the winners of this round, scoring a very impressive 82 per cent. They supported the motion, demonstrating great awareness and empathy for their male peers, arguing that "Most NGOs protect, help and further the interest of girls, not the boys", and highlighted key organisations in their community who support this.

They further supported their stance by arguing that girls are given guidance and counselling classes with female teachers, giving them an opportunity to discuss relationships, careers and discipline, whereas the "boys are left like lost sheep".

The team also cited that recent legislation, The Sexual Offences Act, protected girls and not boys, and that even in later life, continued support is offered to females who can win a special seat in parliament, and obtain financial support. They concluded, "Is there any such organisation for boys? Your guess is as good as ours..."

With a mere two points separating the top three teams, second and third place were both taken by Kwakiketi primary school, also in Kilifi county. Ronaldo, who opposed the motion that girls are more favoured than boys, took second place with 80 per cent, and Avatar, supporting this motion came third with 78 per cent. 

Interestingly, both teams used the same headline argument of 'responsibilities at home' to support their view. Ronaldo believe that boys are held in a higher regard as they are given bigger responsibilities at home, such as ploughing, maintenance and looking after livestock - tasks which help to secure an income for the family. Alternatively, Avatar motioned that as girls are given the responsibility to cook at home from a young age, and can prepare a balanced meal for the family by age 14, ensuring they stay well and healthy, this demonstrates that they are more favoured than boys. 

Well done to Champions and to everyone who took part. Details of the third and final round will be announced soon, so stay tuned to find out if Champions will be crowned winners of competition two.

Until next time,

The iMlango Team

iMlango showcases innovative digital learning technology at the World Bank Annual Meetings

We were honoured to participate at the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C. yesterday, where sQuid, who attended on behalf of the iMlango consortium partners, had the opportunity to present our innovative digital learning and attendance monitoring technology at the Bridging the Inclusion and Technology Divide Fair.

The prestigious World Bank Annual Meetings are held each autumn to discuss a range of issues related to poverty reduction, international economic development and finance, providing a forum for international cooperation and enabling the World Bank and IMF to better serve their member countries. 

Over 10,000 people attend the meetings, including 3,500 members of delegations from the member countries of the Bank and the IMF, roughly 1,000 representatives of the media, and more than 5,000 visitors and special guests drawn primarily from private business, the banking community and NGOs.

The Tech Fair brought together key innovators to showcase how technology is being used to promote inclusive development. And we were delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate how our technology, which has enabled over 200,000 schoolchildren to benefit from digital learning access since 2015, is being utilised in the programme,

Several other organisations were in Washington to discuss how digital technology is disrupting development and what could be done to level the playing field and harness its benefits.

At the Digital Economy for Development session, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia discussed how digital identification systems and mobile technology are crucial in providing the basis for access to services such as banking, electricity, healthcare and much more.

They highlighted the need for a global framework to protect individuals’ data, which is thought to be crucial in preparing a secure digital future for everyone. The pair emphasised how corporations, governments and organizations like the World Bank Group can come together to deliver essential services.

We’d like to thank the World Bank for inviting us to participate and showcase our innovative digital learning technology. 

Until next time, 

The iMlango Team