MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name

EDUCATION FOR ALL

One-line solution summary.

Fostering education through connecting students and teachers from all over Tanzania, and providing access to books and notes from various sources nationwide and globally.

What is your solution?

The solution involves the creation of a software application where students can discuss via chats, videos like zoom meetings or spaces like twitter spaces. Furthermore, teachers can share their opinions on the held discussions when invited by the students, or within their own teachers' accounts, they can also discuss amongst themselves by sharing teaching experiences as a way of improving teaching methods in Tanzania.

But also, the application includes virtual reality and simulations that depict various scientific phenomena. These will help in inculcating a better understanding of scientific theories.

What specific problem are you trying to solve?

In Tanzania, there has been a massive problem in accessing books and notes for students while at school or home. In 2017, only 19 per cent of students in the schools had access to library services(books and e-learning). This statistic, clearly shows that it is less for students while on vacation since the majority come from poor backgrounds hence they can not afford to buy books at the same time have digital devices that can help them in e-learning.

Consequently, the majority of the students do not qualify for further studies and thus are left out at home with nothing to do leading to increased dependency as well as criminal activities in society. For the few who qualify, they are not competent enough as they have limited knowledge of the subjects they learn in class.

Who does your solution serve? In what ways will the solution impact their lives?

Secondary school students are mostly enrolled in public schools since they come from poor homes that can not afford to pay fees in well established public schools. These students rely on poorly written notes as a way to understand their course studies, and they are exposed to theoretical knowledge with less or no exposure to practical knowledge. While at home, as some have access to the internet through internet cafes or smart phones from friends, parents or neighbours, they can not access books because they are to be purchased at a high price to be accessed.

My solution aims at having a software application that offers free relevant books and notes from qualified teachers and authors. With computer simulations and visual reality, students can easily understand the theories as they are exposed to practical knowledge in scenarios that they can virtually feel. From the sponsorship I obtain, I will use the funds to buy books for students in areas with no electricity, but for those in towns, I would establish an internet centre with computers to be used to access books in the software application. This solution will not be biased as students coming from wealthy homes can also access the application via their smartphones, and other communication devices.

What steps have you taken to understand the needs of the population you want to serve?

I have not done any research with potential users, but my solution has mostly been based on my personal experience as a former secondary school student. But, I have engaged the potential users in the design and development of the solution, and they have supported the solution but they advocate for huge funds to enhance e-learning to students in rural areas too.

Which aspects of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Improving learning opportunities and outcomes for learners across their lifetimes, from early childhood on (Learning)

Our solution's stage of development:

Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution—in other words, what have you accomplished to date?

The solution is just an idea I am exploring. So far, I have not been able to develop it to further stages as I am not familiar with computer programming so as to create the required application. When I tried looking for IT experts, they require huge pay for them to participate in the project. As a result, I look forward to studying IT courses at University so as to implement my idea in years to come.

Where our solution team is headquartered or located:

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Team Lead:

Perucy Mussiba