EuroTalk
Digital Tools for Rural Schools
EuroTalk is improving education in Africa using technology
What have we done to help so far?
- - Used our expertise to develop simple educational software.
- - Lessons on many topics, from healthcare to primary education.
- - Most importantly, lessons are in the local language.
- - Piloted projects in Malawi, Uganda and South Africa.
- - Over 10,000 students currently enrolled in the program.
The Malawi Project
A successful pilot project 2006 - 2010
We have worked with the Malawi Ministry of Education. EuroTalk have donated equipment to 50 schools, each receiving a computer and 10 handheld devices. Both play interactive video lessons in the local languages, Chichewa and Timbuka. Topics include numeracy, literacy, health and many others. Everything is powered by a solar power system. The pilot project has been evaluated by the Malawi Ministry of Education who have praised the project's success. EuroTalk also commissioned a report titled 'The potential role of portable interactive learning technology within basic education in Malawi'. The Malawi Government has added the project to their 10 year education plan. The plan calls for the project to be extended to 50 more schools every year over the next 10 years.
The Next Step
The Scottish Government has recently awarded a grant to support another 50 rural schools. The project has continuing support from the the Malawi Government. The Scottish Malawi Foundation in Mulanje will be supporting and helping us expand the project. The 50 rural schools have no access to electricity or WiFi. Each school will receive:
- One iPod touch per teacher
- One solar charger per teacher (there are on average 7 teachers in each rural school)
- Ten iPod touches for the children, enough for a class of 40.
This will allow every child in the school access for at least 1 to 2 hours a week. - One whole-school solar charging system
Eurotalk will be developing and compiling the content for these devices which will include:
- Lesson plans and resources
- Interactive lessons for children in English and Chichewa
- Extra lessons for teachers
- Malawian music and pictures
The Malawi project is no longer a pilot. It is now the result of almost 10 years of development and is a proven intervention. EuroTalk and the Scottish Malawi Foundation will be working with the Malawi Ministry of Education for a full independent evaluation of the intervention.
Resources
- EuroTalk press release »
- Scottish Government press release »
- Malawi government letter of support (pdf) »
- EuroTalk pilot project report (pdf) »
- Malawi Government pilot project report (pdf) »
- Malawi national education sector plan (pdf) »
- The Scottish Malawi Foundation »