200,000 Tanzanian Parents Now Track Their Children's Schooling by Phone

Atoms & Bits Product Review #3

October 5, 2024: Parents at Bagamoyo Secondary School learn about InfoTaaluma, a digital school management startup backed by the Mastercard Foundation.

Tanzania's education system is struggling under the weight of overcrowded classrooms and limited resources.

In primary schools, one teacher is responsible for an average of 51 students, while in secondary schools, the ratio improves slightly to 1:22 (UNESCO, 2021).

With about:

• 3.1 million students in forms one to six spread across only 5,926 schools

• 11.4 million students from grades I-VII enrolled in 19,733 schools (TAMISEMI, 2023)

The challenge of providing quality education and maintaining effective communication with parents is enormous.

The problem extends beyond the classroom. Parents often struggle to stay informed about their children's academic progress, attendance, and school activities.

Traditional methods of communication, such as infrequent parent-teacher meetings and paper report cards, are slow and inefficient. This lack of timely information can lead to decreased parental involvement, which is bad for student success.

That's why Infotaaluma, a cloud-based school management system is tackling those issues head-on. Launched in the midst of:

• Growing mobile phone usage in Tanzania—now at 82.6% of the population

• A 31.5% smartphone penetration rate (TCRA, Q2 2024)

InfoTaaluma is utilizing technology to close the gap between schools, teachers, and parents.

It allows schools to digitally manage attendance, exam results, and fee payments.

For parents, it provides real-time access to their children's academic information through a mobile app or SMS, ensuring that even those with basic phones can stay connected.

As of 2024, InfoTaaluma has made substantial progress. It's being used in 253 schools across 12 regions in Tanzania, reaching over 200,000 parents. While this represents only 4.3% of secondary schools in the country, its impact is already notable.

At Bagamoyo Secondary School, one of the institutions using InfoTaaluma, the change is evident. During a recent Parents' Board meeting, parents showed their support for the system by agreeing to help cover its costs.

I think that's a big deal for a public school that does not charge fees. Bagamoyo parents’ willingness to invest speaks volumes about the perceived value of the service.

InfoTaaluma's reach goes beyond just connecting parents and schools. The Tanzanian tech company also provides tools for teachers to create lesson plans - potentially improving the quality of instruction in classrooms where resources are scarce.

The company's efforts have not gone unnoticed. It is one of 10 startups selected for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Tanzania. Thanks to Sahara Consult. This program provides mentorship and financial assistance, which are important given 54% of African startups fail (Statista, 2020).

Overall, InfoTaaluma's expansion is consistent with regional trends. Revenues in the African education market are projected to grow at an annual rate of 8.4% between 2022 and 2029 (Statista).

With a median age of just 18 years and increasing mobile penetration, Tanzania is well-positioned to benefit from this growth.

However, challenges remain. Over 60% of Tanzanians don't own smartphones (TCRA, 2024), and reliable internet connectivity is still an issue in many rural areas. Data privacy concerns are also prevalent as more student information is digitized.

Despite those obstacles, platforms like InfoTaaluma can have immense impact. Why? They are improving communication between schools and parents, and helping schools manage their resources more efficiently.

Such technologies could contribute to better educational outcomes. Given that education is a key driver of economic growth, the national implications extend far beyond the classroom.

The Ministry of Education should take notice. And consider formal approval for a wider rollout of such digital systems in public schools. That move could dramatically increase InfoTaaluma's reach and impact.

So, my fingers are crossed.