Imani: Equity in Education

Edutech Institute

Imani: Equity in Education

Imani, which means belief or faith, is an approach of Personalized Adaptive Learning towards bridging learning gaps, enhancing educational outcomes

Durban, South Africa

ZAF

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

In South Africa, over 80% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning, and only 41% of Grade 5 learners can do basic math. The crisis is worst in underserved communities, where poverty, overcrowded classrooms, and teacher shortages push learner-teacher ratios up to 1:50. Millions of children globally face the same fate—attending school but not learning. Our solution tackles this crisis with a two-part approach: personalized, adaptive learning technology and a community-based delivery model. The platform tailors math instruction to each learner’s level using AI and real-time data, helping them catch up, keep up, or move ahead at their own pace. Local youth from the community are trained as learning coaches, supporting students and teachers, and delivering the program even in offline settings. This creates jobs, builds skills, and ensures sustainability. The solution addresses key challenges—language barriers, overcrowding, limited remediation—and is designed for low-fee schools where over 6 million South African learners are at risk of falling through the cracks. By closing learning gaps early and strengthening community capacity, we’re not just improving test scores—we’re changing lives and creating a pathway to education, employment, and long-term social transformation.

Our solution uses adaptive learning technology to deliver personalized, curriculum-aligned math instruction for Grades 1–10. It identifies each learner’s current level of understanding and tailors questions and lessons to address gaps and build confidence—whether they’re ahead, behind, or on grade level. Powered by artificial intelligence and over 20 years of rich content development, the platform adjusts in real time. As learners engage, it analyzes their responses, identifies misconceptions, and gives immediate feedback with step-by-step guidance. This helps learners move at their own pace, increasing understanding and motivation. The software runs on low-cost devices and is designed to work both online and offline, making it ideal for schools in South Africa where internet access can be limited. While currently in English, we’re actively working to localize the platform into African languages like isiZulu and isiXhosa to ensure deeper learning. Beyond learners, our solution supports teachers by providing real-time dashboards, helping them better target instruction and manage diverse classroom needs. https://youtu.be/3QuAnYTkKi4?si=cLoTnh3ule_A3wEi

Our solution is designed for learners in underserved communities across South Africa, especially those in Grades 4 to 9 who face the greatest backlogs in maths. These learners attend overcrowded public schools, often learn in a second language, and rarely receive individual attention due to high learner-teacher ratios and limited teacher support. We reach these learners with a personalized, tech-enabled learning experience that meets each child where they are and guides them forward at their own pace. It addresses misconceptions, builds confidence, and lays strong foundations in maths. To support this, we train and employ youth from the same communities as learning coaches—creating meaningful jobs while building local capacity. These coaches support learners directly and serve as a vital bridge between technology and the classroom. We also empower teachers by giving them real-time data on learner progress, helping them focus their instruction and reduce planning time. Together, we’re not just improving academic outcomes—we’re creating a ripple effect: reducing dropout rates, boosting confidence, and unlocking pathways to further education and employment. By combining personalized learning with community-based support, we’re breaking the cycle of poverty and helping entire communities move forward with dignity and hope.