Schoolinka

According to a UNESCO Statistics report of 2019, it was stated that 1 out of 3 teachers in Africa lack training (around 35% of the teaching workforce). It is an agreed fact that quality education begins with qualified teachers who deliver good lessons so that students can learn. However, the percentage of trained teachers has been steadily falling across sub-Saharan Africa. From 85% to 64% at the primary level and from 79% to 50% at the secondary level. 

Poor teaching quality is worsening the state of education in the continent, thereby hindering us from achieving Goal 4 (Quality Education) of the SDGs. If we must ensure that quality education is delivered across the continent, then we need to invest more in teacher education, as teachers can only give what they have. 

In Nigeria, 21,000 teachers failed a test meant for primary four students and this raised very serious concerns among both private and public stakeholders. This led our team to conduct in-depth research through surveys and focus group engagements to understand why teachers are not adequately trained and we found the following insights:

• Inaccessibility to training programs: Teachers in remote communities find it hard to attend training programs happening in the city.

• Unaffordability: The available programs are too expensive for these low-income teachers to afford.

• Lack of Incentives: Teachers do not see a good economic benefit of getting trained.

Schools on the other hand find it very challenging to find a dedicated pool of trained teachers to source for teaching talents to join their school workforce. Also, it is becoming increasingly expensive for schools to run recruitment for teachers who might not eventually meet their talent needs.

To tackle the problem, we concluded that the best solution will be one that puts the power to access professional development in the hands of the teachers themselves and also create opportunities for teachers and schools to find themselves. 

This is why we built Schoolinka.

Schoolinka is an integrated online platform designed to offer training courses, certifications, and teaching resources for educators, while also providing a job board for teachers seeking opportunities in renowned schools worldwide. We also help schools cut down their cost of teacher training by 90% by offering our training courses to their teachers through a dedicated learning platform. The platform hosts a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) for course delivery, as well as a job board for schools to post vacancies and manage the hiring process.

We deploy artificial intelligence to identify the training needs of educators, suggest online courses hosted on our platform that will equip them with the required skills, and also help these educators access better-paying teaching jobs with our partner schools. Our solution is democratizing learning for educators, improving the quality of the school workforce in Africa, and thereby ensuring that students have access to better learning experiences.

Teachers sign up on our platform to take online courses that are created by educators with experience and expertise and teacher training organizations, earn certifications and use the skills acquired to transform learning in their classrooms. These courses are taken in a self-paced manner and the teachers themselves have total control of their learning and they are offered at very low cost. 

While teachers take these online courses, we also offer instructor-led masterclasses that are delivered virtually or in-person where teachers have the opportunity to learn in a live class, engage with our faculty, and deepen relationships with our community of educators.

Schools have yearly learning licenses for their teachers and can post their vacant teaching jobs on the platform and also sort applications to these vacancies.

Through our tutor matching product - EntaClass, we match parents with qualified, well-trained and carefully vetted tutors who provide one on one and group coaching that helps their children excel in their grades. Parents request tutors on EntaClass, and our Learning support associates source tutors who are the best match to the children with the help of AI and connect them for learning to begin. We also provide monthly learning reports to parents and work with them to provide holistic academic support to the children.

Here is a demo of our product.

Our solution, Schoolinka, primarily serves teachers and schools in Africa, particularly those in underserved and low-income communities. These teachers currently face significant challenges in accessing quality training due to factors such as inaccessibility, unaffordability, and lack of incentives. As a result, the quality of education suffers, impacting the learning outcomes of students.

Schoolinka addresses these needs by providing an affordable and accessible platform for professional development. Teachers can sign up for online courses at a very low cost, allowing them to acquire new skills and improve their teaching methods. The self-paced nature of the courses makes it convenient for teachers in remote areas to participate without the need to travel. Additionally, our platform offers instructor-led masterclasses, providing further opportunities for engagement and learning.

For schools, Schoolinka offers yearly learning licenses that allow them to provide training for their teachers at a fraction of the cost of traditional programs. This makes it easier for schools, especially those in low-income communities, to invest in the professional development of their staff, leading to a more skilled and effective teaching workforce.

Overall, Schoolinka's affordable and accessible approach to professional development is directly improving the lives of teachers and students in underserved communities by empowering educators with the skills they need to deliver quality education.

Our small team of 12 full-time staff at Schoolinka is uniquely positioned to deliver our solution because we have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by teachers and schools in Africa, particularly those in underserved communities. Our CEO, Oluwaseun Kayode, has firsthand experience teaching in an underserved Nigerian school through the Teach For Nigeria Fellowship program. This experience highlighted the critical need for improved teaching quality and inspired him to create Schoolinka.

Joy Medupin, our Head of Learning, brings over two decades of experience in education, including school administration, teaching, training, and curriculum development. Her expertise in these areas ensures that our platform's content is relevant, engaging, and effective for educators.

Ayomide Akintimehin, our Chief Technology Officer, is a Senior Frontend Engineer with a passion for developing innovative solutions in the educational technology sector. His technical expertise ensures that our platform is not only user-friendly but also technologically robust and efficient.

Abimbola Dosunmu and Fish Stark, members of our Learning Advisory Board, bring a wealth of experience in education and social activism. Their insights and guidance help shape our platform to meet the needs of educators and schools effectively.

Bunmi Eyiaro, another member of our Learning Advisory Board, is deeply committed to improving education for K-12 students. Her experience in education technology and career education brings a valuable perspective to our team.

Overall, our team is representative of the communities we serve, with members who have direct experience in education and a passion for improving teaching quality. We actively seek input from educators, schools, and communities to ensure that our solution is meaningful and impactful for them.

At Schoolinka, we are currently at the pilot stage, which aligns with our focus on iterating our design and business model while actively working to gain traction. We have made significant progress in launching our solution in communities and testing its effectiveness.

Since we started this journey, we have provided training to more than 3500 teachers through various channels, including live conferencing tools like Zoom, white-labelled LMS solutions, and in-person training opportunities. This initial phase allowed us to understand the needs of teachers and schools better, informing our approach to designing a scalable solution.

As we transitioned to our custom-built tech solution, we now have over 300 users on our platform who are actively learning and applying for job opportunities. This transition was informed by our learnings from the pilot phase, where we gathered feedback from users to improve our platform's functionality and user experience.

In our recent user research, we found that 86% of teachers who participated in our platform mentioned that their professional development objectives were met, highlighting the impact of our solution. Additionally, 100% of respondents said they would recommend Schoolinka to their colleagues, underscoring the value and effectiveness of our platform.

We also got a non-equity funding of $100,000 from Mastercard Foundation to build our custom solution and take it to market. This was given to us after they see the results of our prototype and how impactful and scaleable our solution is.

Our progress so far demonstrates our commitment to designing and delivering a solution that meets the needs of teachers and schools in Africa. We are confident that with our continued efforts and focus on user feedback, we will further enhance our platform's impact and reach.

I am applying to Solve because Schoolinka is at a critical stage where we are actively addressing key challenges that will determine our impact and scalability. We have made significant strides in piloting our solution, providing training to over 3500 teachers and transitioning to our custom-built tech platform with over 300 users. However, we recognize that to truly scale and sustain our impact, we need support in several areas.

• To start with, we are still refining our business model to ensure sustainability while serving users with low purchasing power. Solve's expertise and network can provide invaluable insights and guidance on designing a business model that balances impact and financial viability.
• Partnership building is central to our success, and Solve's network can help us connect with schools, knowledge institutions, governments, and funding organizations. By strategically positioning ourselves and leveraging Solve's resources, we aim to build strong partnerships that amplify our impact.
• Leadership development is crucial as we navigate growth and expansion. Solve's mentorship and support can help us develop the right leadership capabilities within our organization to drive our mission forward effectively.
• Impact measurement is a core focus for us. We are keen to understand the drivers of impact in our work and how to measure them appropriately. By leveraging Solve's expertise in impact measurement, we aim to continually improve our product offerings based on data-driven insights and effectively report our impact to stakeholders. This will enable us to refine our approach, enhance our effectiveness, and ensure we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of teachers and students across Africa.
• Fundraising is a key priority for us as we seek to invest in product development, hire key staff, and expand into new markets. Solve's connections with potential funders and investors can open up opportunities for us to secure the necessary resources to fuel our growth.

In conclusion, Solve's support is instrumental in helping us overcome these barriers and advance our mission of improving teacher quality and education outcomes in Africa. We are excited about the potential collaboration and the opportunity to leverage Solve's expertise and network to drive meaningful change.

We leverage AI and ML to provide personalized professional development for teachers, matching them with resources tailored to their specific needs. This approach ensures that teachers receive targeted support, leading to more effective teaching practices and improved student outcomes.

By offering a comprehensive platform that combines training courses, certifications, job placements, and tutoring services, Schoolinka provides a one-stop solution for all education workforce-related needs. This integration streamlines the process for educators and schools, saving time and resources.

Our platform addresses the accessibility issue by offering affordable and self-paced online courses, making professional development more accessible to teachers, especially those in low-income communities. This approach democratizes learning and empowers teachers to take control of their development.

Schoolinka's presence in the ecosystem has the potential to change the landscape of teacher training and professional development in Africa. As we provide a scalable and effective solution, and gather useful data from our iterations; we can influence how educators, schools, and policymakers approach teacher training, leading to a more skilled and motivated teaching workforce and ultimately, improved education outcomes across the continent.

Context: 

In Africa, many teachers lack access to quality professional development, leading to poor teaching quality and hindering student learning outcomes. Schools struggle to find trained teachers, especially in remote areas, exacerbating the problem. According to UNESCO, the percentage of trained teachers has been falling across sub-Saharan Africa - from 85% to 64% at the primary level and from 79% to 50% at the secondary level.

Assumptions:

1. Teachers who receive quality professional development will improve their teaching practices.
2. Improved teaching practices will lead to better student learning outcomes. UNESCO's Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2013/14 states that teacher quality is one of the most influential factors in student learning.
3. Schools that have access to a pool of trained teachers will be able to recruit more effectively, leading to better teacher-student ratios and improved learning environments. The GPE's Global Report 2018 mentioned that teacher shortages are a major barrier to achieving quality education

Our Mission: 

Schoolinka provides a comprehensive online platform for teachers to access personalized professional development courses, certifications, and job placement services. By leveraging AI and ML, Schoolinka matches teachers with resources tailored to their needs, making professional development more accessible and effective.

Activities:

1. Increased Access to Quality Professional Development: By providing affordable and self-paced online courses, Schoolinka makes professional development accessible to teachers, including those in low-income communities.
2. Improved Teaching Practices: Through personalized courses and training, teachers enhance their skills and knowledge, leading to improved teaching practices in the classroom.
3. Better Student Learning Outcomes: Improved teaching practices result in better student engagement, learning, and outcomes.
4. Enhanced School Recruitment: Schools can access a pool of trained teachers through Schoolinka's job placement services, improving teacher-student ratios and creating better learning environments.

Outcome: 

Schoolinka's intervention leads to a skilled and motivated teaching workforce, better student learning outcomes, and improved education quality in Africa.

Impact: 

By addressing the root causes of poor teaching quality and teacher recruitment challenges, Schoolinka contributes to achieving Goal 4 (Quality Education) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa.

Our broad goal at Schoolinka is to improve the quality of education in Africa by empowering teachers with the skills and resources they need to deliver high-quality instruction. The following are impact goals that our team is currently focused on:

1. Increase Teacher Quality: We aim to improve the skills and effectiveness of teachers, leading to better student learning outcomes. We measure this by tracking the percentage of teachers who report an improvement in their teaching practices and student engagement.

2. Improve Student Learning Outcomes: We want to enhance student learning outcomes across Africa. This is measured by assessing student performance in key subjects (Literacy, Numeracy, and Science) before and after teachers have undergone our training programs.

3. Increase Access to Education: Our work is geared to increase access to quality education for students in underserved communities. We measure this by tracking the number of teachers trained in remote and low-income areas.

4. Foster Innovation in Education: We aim to foster innovation in education by introducing new teaching methods and technologies that are proven to be best practices. We measure this by tracking the adoption of new teaching practices and technologies by teachers.

To measure our progress towards these impact goals, we collect data on the following indicators:

• Number of teachers trained
• Teacher feedback
• Student performance
• Teacher retention rates
• Adoption of new teaching practices and technologies

Our platform features a robust LMS that hosts our online courses, training materials, and resources. Teachers can access these resources at their convenience, enabling them to enhance their skills and knowledge. We also have a job board where schools can post vacancies and teachers can apply for positions. The job board is integrated with our LMS, allowing schools to identify candidates with specific skills and qualifications. We create audiovisual training content that are hosted on the Schoolinka's LMS for teachers to access them.

We use AI algorithms to personalize the learning experience for each teacher. The AI analyzes the teacher's learning preferences, performance, and feedback to recommend relevant courses and resources. It also powers a recommendation system that helps schools find teaching talents that fit their vacant position faster and more effectively.

We are on the lookout for sophisticated data management techniques to collect, store, and analyze data on teacher training and performance. This data helps us track progress, identify areas for improvement, and measure impact. In terms of communication, tools such as email, SMS, and chat are used to engage with teachers, provide support, and deliver course updates.

Full Time: 12

Part Time: 4

Contractors: 3

3 Years

Our leadership team includes members from different cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds. This diversity enriches our decision-making processes and allows us to consider a wide range of perspectives. We are continuously working to increase diversity within our team, particularly in areas where we are underrepresented. We aim to create a team that reflects the communities we serve, ensuring that our solutions are relevant and inclusive.

Social Business Model Canvas for Schoolinka:

1. Social Impact Goal: Improve the quality of education by providing affordable and accessible teacher training, leading to better learning outcomes for students.

2. Key Partnerships: Partner with schools, educational institutions, government agencies, and NGOs for content development, training delivery, and job placements.

3. Key Activities: Develop online courses, certification programs, and teaching resources. Facilitate teacher training and job matching. Manage the platform and learning management system.

4. Key Resources: Online platform, learning management system, content creation tools, partnerships, technology infrastructure, human resources.

5. Value Proposition: Affordable, accessible, and quality teacher training. Job opportunities for educators. Cost-effective teacher training solutions for schools.

6. Customer Segments: Teachers seeking professional development. Schools looking for trained teachers. Educational institutions and NGOs focused on teacher training and development.

7. Channels: Online platform, social media, partnerships with schools and educational institutions, word-of-mouth.

8. Customer Relationships: Online support, community engagement, feedback mechanisms, personalized learning experiences.

9. Revenue Streams: Course fees from teachers, subscription fees from schools, placement fees from schools hiring teachers, partnership fees from institutions.

10. Cost Structure: Content development, technology maintenance, staff salaries, marketing and promotion, partnership costs.

11. Key Metrics: Number of teachers trained, course completion rates, job placement rates, partner satisfaction, revenue growth.

1. Freemium Model: We offer basic training courses for free to attract users, and then charge for advanced or specialized courses, additional resources, or certification.
2. Course Fees: We charge teachers a fee for accessing training courses on the platform. We offer different pricing tiers based on course complexity and duration.

3. Subscription Model: Schools and education institutions pay a subscription fee to access Schoolinka's platform for their teachers and also to post teaching jobs. This is a monthly or annual fee based on the number of teachers using the platform.

4. Partnership Fees: We collaborate with organizations, NGOs, or government agencies for special training programs and charge a fee for developing and delivering these programs.

5. Commission on Tutor Matching: For the EntaClass tutoring service, we charge a commission on the fees paid by parents to tutors for each tutoring session facilitated through the platform.

6. Sponsorships and Grants: We seek sponsorships from companies, foundations, or government agencies interested in supporting education initiatives, and we also apply to grants to fund specific programs or initiatives

7. Consulting Services: Offer consulting services to schools or education institutions on curriculum development, teacher training strategies, or technology integration for an additional fee.

8. Data Services: Aggregate and analyze data collected from the platform (with user consent) to provide insights and reports to education stakeholders for a fee.

Success So Far: 

- Generated $35k in revenue from physical and digital training programs, and consulting with international organizations like Teach For All 

- Raised 100k equity free funding from Mastercard Foundation 

- Raised $15k grant funding from Future Fund For Education