Scaling EdTech Ventures: The Question of Data

Bisrat Addisu, a data analyst, was seeking data on Ethiopian University Entrance Exam (EUEE) failure rates to develop an app to address challenges faced by students, a project he undertook last year while enrolled in data analytics courses at ALX,  a technology training provide.

However, his and his teammates’ efforts to obtain a detailed database of student failure rates proved unsuccessful.

“We wanted to see the detailed percentiles from the agency’s official website, and we virtually scanned any online resources we could get a grip of but didn’t find detailed data,” he told Shega.

To develop a tutorial app that caters to students preparing for the EUEE, finding further insights, analyzing data reflecting failure rates by region, gender, and school type (private vs. public), as well as the impact of COVID-19, war, and more categories, was crucial and decided the depth and effectiveness of their solution.

Unfortunately, they didn’t find what they were looking for, and they had to resort to scraping general overviews from news articles and asking people, which only provided generalized overviews and oversimplified insights. 

Consequently, they proceeded with their project and submitted a simplified prototype that limited the scope and context of their original idea. “Not having the data limited our insight and affected the outcome,” Bisrat told Shega.

Technology has become an essential part of education in Ethiopia. The Ministry of Education has spearheaded this shift by emphasizing curriculum development aligned with digital content and initiatives in its first Digital Education Strategy for 2023-2028, among other digital initiatives.

This digitization has inundated educational solutions, creating alternative learning opportunities for students. However, finding updated and comprehensive research relevant to the current state of the education system in Ethiopia is very difficult, posing a critical challenge to the sector.

Produced by the Mastercard Foundation and Shega Media & Technology, the August episode of the EdTech Mondays Radio show hosted a discussion for scaling edtech ventures in Ethiopia. Titled "Equity in Access: Scaling Successful EdTech Innovations and Startups in Ethiopia, the discussants voiced different challenges impacting the scaling of edtech ventures, including the lack of sufficient data and comprehensive research. 

The discussion focused on the challenges of integrating technology into Ethiopia's educational landscape, emphasizing the need for a nationwide approach that extends beyond Addis Ababa and urban centers to encompass rural areas as well. An essential inquiry was the type of data utilized by EdTech ventures when developing initiatives.

"While comprehensive data on the sector is lacking, we have focused on understanding our target demographics to assess their specific needs, tailoring our services accordingly." Said Abel Kebede, founder and CEO at Ethio College Prep, an educational consultancy firm that helps Ethiopian high school students prepare for and apply to colleges abroad.

Noting the limitation of data on a holistic level, he shared how they conduct ongoing assessments before and after their cohorts receive their service to refine their offerings. However, he noted the need for an assessment beyond this group, highlighting a lack of resources to gain insights into the broader educational landscape. 

“Without comprehensive and updated data, solutions often stem from personal observations or experiences, which can lead to offerings perceived as beneficial, said Lina Getachew, founder and executive director of Education for Ethiopia, a social enterprise that aims to bring digital education to Ethiopian students,” said Lina Getachew sharing Abel’s sentiment

"Our journey began from such experiences and post-launch, we analyze the effectiveness of our solutions using various data sources," she stated. Yet, she bewailed the scarcity of up-to-date research or data reflecting current realities on the ground, with existing information often being outdated.

For many who work in the sector, the scarcity of data and resources is a familiar challenge that hampers the effectiveness, accessibility, and scalability of their solutions.

"The impact is particularly pronounced when you're developing technology-related solutions because the landscape is evolving rapidly," noted Lina on the EdTech Mondays Radio Show. 

Her company tries to leverage available information and seek partnerships to customize its offerings based on real-world problems rather than operating in a vacuum. "However, the gap remains significant," she added. 

Meanwhile, Rediet EG Alemu, a Harvard graduate of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology and the Country Lead at the Ethiopia office of Shamiri Institute, a data-driven organization focused on improving the mental health and overall well-being of young people, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, discussed their relatively different ways of doing things because they’re primarily a research institute, which means the data has always to come first and implementation follows suit after that.

However,  there isn't any existing data for reference or previous research that explains the state of mental wellness among students or young people and its relation to educational performance (Shamari’s Focus area) leaving them to always start from scratch.

“Hence we always have to bear the responsibility of collecting data,” says Rediet. 

As EdTech companies operate in a rapidly evolving environment, accessing updated data and research is crucial for determining whether they can scale or risk stagnation. Data and research are essential for identifying needs, measuring impact, attracting investment, and informing policy formation. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive research and updated data remains a significant pain point for every EdTech company.