The UK’s Department for International Development (DfID) has announced this ground-breaking strategic partnership with the private sector to deliver e-learning programmes in Kenya to thousands of marginalised girls.
Project iMlango1 is a first-of-its-kind e-learning partnership. Working with DfID, sQuid, the smartcard and digital payments system provider, has also joined forces with global satellite operator Avanti Communications, online maths tutoring provider Whizz Education and technology NGO, Camara Education. The integrated programme aims to improve learning outcomes for 25,675 marginalised girls, across 195 Kenyan primary schools.
Project iMlango uniquely addresses the cultural and financial issues that can lead to reduced school attendance and drop outs2, with electronic attendance monitoring and conditional payments to families. At the programme’s core sits an internet learning platform, accessed via high-speed satellite broadband connectivity, where partners provide students with interactive, individualised learning tools.
Project iMlango delivers:
- High-speed satellite broadband connectivity to schools;
- Personalised maths tuition with a virtual online tutor, alongside digital learning content for maths, literacy and life skills;
- Tuition and support to teachers to use ICT in their teaching;
- Electronic attendance monitoring with conditional payments - to incentivise families to send their daughters to school – for use with local merchants;
- In-field capacity in IT, technology and support resources;
- Real-time project monitoring and measurement.
Adam Smith, sQuid’s CEO said “We have been preparing the ground for Project iMlango for some time, following the successful deployment of our digital transaction platform in Kenya. Nucleus has created a distinctive brand which resonates positively with all audiences in the programme, helping sQuid create a true end-to-end service to tackle a really important set of issues relating to girls education.”
Peter Matthews, Nucleus CEO added “We’re delighted that our uniquely integrated naming, branding, digital and IP service has created a distinctive and engaging brand for a hugely worthwhile programme. iMlango is a friendly, accessible brand that will be a force for good in Africa.”
1 iMlango, derived from the Swahili word, ‘mlango’ which means doorway or portal.
2 Families play a critical role in girls both accessing and remaining in education.
About Project iMlango
- Project iMlango is a strategic partnership between the Department for International Development (DfID), sQuid, Avanti Communication, Whizz Education and Camara Education.
- The project will reach 195 primary schools and aims to improve the learning outcomes for 25,675 marginalised girls in Kenya.
- To achieve improved education and life chances for girls marginalised through poverty, Project iMlango sets out to address both the financial and social issues affecting girls that lead to reduced school attendance and drop outs from school.
About sQuid
- SQUIDCARD LIMITED (“sQuid”) is a UK-based, FCA certified eMoney service operator.
- sQuid has built an end-to-end technology platform, and a supporting business model, for creating, processing and settling electronic transactions using proprietary technologies.
- sQuid Africa operations are based in Nairobi, Kenya.
- sQuid has deployed a successful aid management programme with SOS Children’s Villages and is approved by the Kenya Higher Education Loans Board for the distribution of bursary funds.
- Visit: www.squidcard.com
- Visit: www.smarttransactionsgroup.com
About Nucleus
- Nucleus is a UK-based brand, digital and IP consultancy.
- Nucleus defines brand purpose, designs brand and digital experiences and manages brand IP assets for clients across the world.
- Key sector specialisms include financial services, travel and luxury.
- Nucleus is a specialist in mobile brands, websites and applications.
- Clients include: Amanresorts, Crédit Agricole, P&O Cruises, Regent Hotels and Rothschild.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Stephen Benzikie sQuid +44 (0)774 0038929
Peter Matthews Nucleus +44 (0)208 398 9144
A Project iMlango infographic is available on request.