The Mastercard Foundation and Data Science are aiming for a $100 million investment in an e-platform

By theGazetteNGR

Editorinchief

Posted: May 5, 2021 at 1:17 PM, Updated: September 21, 2022 at 7:44 AM

The Mastercard Foundation and Data Science Nigeria have launched a new audio e-learning platform called Learn at Home, which will provide more than 100 million Nigerian youths with free, online, and limitless learning opportunities.

Centered on national cell phone penetration, low-data, and simple feature phone specifications, this first-of-its-kind audio e-learning platform will provide unrestricted access.

The platform is a continuation of Data Science Nigeria’s popular ‘Learn
at Home’ project, which delivered learning to millions of Nigerian
students during the COVID-19 disruptions, in collaboration with the
Mastercard Foundation. Learn at Home is based on an all-encompassing
e-learning strategy.

It is intended to remove the costs of internet access (data) and the over-reliance on costly smartphones as barriers to providing locally appropriate, easy, and affordable access to quality education.

The Learn at Home audio e-learning project, www.learnathome.radio, is part of a larger effort in Nigeria to close the gap between urban and rural learning.

Mastercard Foundation says it is a continuation of efforts to ensure
universal learning and improve learning outcomes across all communities
in Nigeria. Already, more than 4 million students have joined audio
classes with USSD/SMS support, where they receive educational materials
on key subjects, based on the Nigerian Educational Research and
Development (NERDC) curriculum for primary and secondary school
students.

â€The disruption of the pandemic did not only halt learning for
many, but also revealed and exacerbated existing inequalities in
learning opportunities. The purpose of www.learnathome.radio
is to ensure children have equal, convenient, and affordable access to
quality learning,â€ said, Chidinma Lawanson, Country Head, Mastercard
Foundation Nigeria.

According to the Mastercard Foundation, this is a continuation of efforts to ensure universal learning and improve learning outcomes in all Nigerian communities. More than 4 million students have already enrolled in audio classes with USSD/SMS help, where they receive educational materials on key subjects based on the Nigerian Educational Research and Development (NERDC) primary and secondary school curriculum.

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Pupils and students in grades 1 through 3 will have access to a special test readiness sequence on the website, which contains a list of solved past questions from WAEC, NECO, BECE, and Common Entrance exams from 2009 to 2020. Expert teachers have been hired to provide step-by-step answers and explanations to previous questions in an easy-to-understand format, along with live classes that enable each student to learn at their own speed, regardless of location or socioeconomic status.

â€œa creative and innovative
approach to democratize learning in Nigeria and provide an effective
solution to the challenge of unequal distribution of learning and
education opportunities in rural and urban communities.â€

She said:

â€œThe Learn at Home audio e-learning initiative will build
on the clear successes we recorded in the quest to ensure ongoing
learning for children during the pandemic restrictions, particularly
those who are economically disadvantaged, through our audio classes in
several cities in Nigeria. It is specifically designed for smooth
functionality on basic feature phones operating on the EDGE or 2G
network and low data. For MTN users, it is absolutely free. With this,
children in rural and remote communities can learn from the highest
quality teachers at their own pace and prepare for important
examinations with the best resources and educational aids developed
based on the approved curriculum.â€

Apart from the exam preparation series, www.learnathome.radio offers a diverse range of material, such as amazing global statistics, inspiring quotes, current events, popular English language errors, and much more.

One of the parents, Mr. Nwachukwu, who is already using the site, praised it as a game-changing advancement.

â€œBefore, platforms like this one, were usually only for those who could afford expensive laptops or smartphones and daily internet subscriptions. Now, every child, everywhere can learn’.