The name M-Shule, means 'mobile school' in Swahili, a widely spoken language in East Africa. It has transformed online learning on the continent, especially in several countries within the East African region.

M-Shule is a digital platform created by a Kenyan startup to enable access to online courses in East Africa. Founded in 2017 by Claire Mongeau and Julie Otieno, the Nairobi-based startup targets underserved populations, particularly in regions where 80% of the population lacks smartphones or internet access.

The platform is designed to educate, engage, assess, and survey hard-to-reach populations in Africa, especially in areas where most people do not have smartphones or internet access.

“[...] By delivering an all-in-one learning platform possible with the simplest feature phone, M-Shule unlocks new opportunities for millions across Sub-Saharan Africa," the startup explains.

Users can initiate conversations with M-Shule from their mobile phones, asking questions to deepen their understanding of specific course topics. The platform tailors responses based on the user's previously provided education level, allowing them to learn at their own pace. If a concept is unclear, users can request further explanations, with responses available at any time.

Primary school students can use M-Shule to review courses in English, Kiswahili, and mathematics. Parents can monitor their children's progress from registration onward through automated reports sent via SMS to their phones. "Our student users have improved their classroom exam scores between 7%-20% higher than their peers; schools report their classroom planning and administration have improved thanks to our analytics, reporting, and remedial guidance," the startup notes.

In addition to supporting students, M-Shule facilitates surveys and awareness campaigns via SMS. The platform currently serves over 45,000 learners and operates not only in Kenya but also in Tanzania and Uganda. Educational support is provided in seven languages: Dholuo, English, Kamba, Kikuyu, Kiswahili, Ng'aturkana, and Somali.

Adoni Conrad Quenum