Emerging Technologies and Edtech

Ethiopia has a rich history of education, with traditional schools (known as "Kes Timhirt Bet") dating back centuries. Modern education was formally introduced in the early 20th century, and the Ministry of Education was first established during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930. Since then, the nation’s education system has undergone various transitions and transformations.

The past two decades have seen the use of technology to aid teaching and learning in Ethiopia, with initiatives like nationally broadcasted plasma classes. Moreover, the past five years have seen rapid development as the COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for the education sector in Ethiopia. The unforeseen disruption to traditional learning methods highlighted the urgent need for a robust EdTech infrastructure in Ethiopia, and parents, policymakers, teachers, and students from elementary to university levels were forced to adapt.

Today, the EdTech ecosystem is more vibrant. Students can use tech platforms to enhance their skills and knowledge. It is now common to see classes being conducted through online platforms like YouTube and Telegram. Ethiopia has also welcomed its first ambitious digital education strategy. Even though it is a little late compared to its neighboring countries like Kenya, the Ministry of Education and local startups are expanding the limits, and the government is improving its policies to include technology in the system. Universities have started online classes and tutorials, enabling many students to get their certifications online.

Recently, a new contract was signed between Ethio Telecom and Addis Ababa University to build a smart campus where students can go fully digital, including lab classes, and attend classes through virtual reality.

With the road traveled as the backdrop, what is to come was a topic of discussion in the May episode of EdTech Mondays, a monthly radio program produced by Shega Media & Technology and the Mastercard Foundation. 

Across Africa, emerging technologies like AI, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and advanced analytics are changing traditional teaching methods and expanding access to educational opportunities. This trend is particularly relevant in Ethiopia, where these innovations are addressing challenges like limited access to quality education, particularly in rural regions.

Danay Mesfen, a student using technology to complete his master's degree, mentioned some key points on how advanced technology can help students in their education on the show that was aired on Fana FM 98.1 and 10 other affiliated FM radio stations across Ethiopia. “Getting quality education is not a simple thing in Ethiopia,” says Danay.

“Most of the students go online and research their courses, where they can get quality lectures. The best part is that students can access it whenever they want, without limitation,” stated Danay.

Eyoas Adefris, CEO of Soft Net Solutions, shares Danay’s idea and states that it is easy to teach using AI-powered platform products. "It saves time and money," he says. According to Hiwot, it is easier to install VR technologies and teach experimental classes like chemistry and biology than to spend lots of money on laboratory equipment repeatedly. The developer further explained that AI advanced classes offer tailored lessons that are inclusive of all interested learners.  “Laboratory access, especially outside of the capital, is minimal, but with the help of technology, this can be addressed as a country,” he added.

Tito Frezer, a software developer at Kuraz Tech and another guest on the show explained that the country needs to cope with the rapid growth of technology and hop on the ride. According to Tito, classes that equip students with the skills needed to engage with technology help students grasp more knowledge.

We at Shega have taken a closer look at local Edtech platforms using emerging technology.

TeacheruBot

TeacheruBot is an AI-powered study assistant that operates on the popular messaging platform Telegram. It aims to \ assist Ethiopian high school students in exam preparation and bridge the educational gap

Teacheru provides several key features to support students’ learning journey. Through its Telegram chatbot, students can ask questions and receive AI-generated answers that reference relevant text from their textbooks, even specifying page numbers for further reading.

When students ask questions, Teacheru’s custom chatgpt integration searches through the Ethiopian textbooks from grades 9 to 12 to provide accurate answers with references for further reading.

Corner for Health Innovation 

Corner for Health Innovation (CHi) is a recently established startup pushing medicine and healthcare services into the future through a wide network of bold and multi-sectoral innovative collaborations in technology, education, research, manufacturing, and development.

3D printing medical materials and equipment and mixed reality in medicine are some of the initiatives the startup is working on.

Dynamo

Dynamo Center for Technology is a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and research center in Jimma.

The center gives short-term practical-based training using its local language-based digital teaching devices to deliver science education easily and artistically based on the student’s age and knowledge.

The center has also developed localized manuals and books for the students in Amharic and Affaan Oromo that help the kids catch up on the complicated level of hardware and robotics science easily.