In a move aimed at addressing the longstanding linguistic barriers hindering quality education across Africa, SciAfrika has launched a revolutionary digital learning experience for students. The platform, spearheaded by CEO Mohammad Jamiu Shuaib, seeks to provide a comprehensive education in native languages, marking a significant departure from the conventional approach dominated by colonial languages such as English and French.
Drawing from his firsthand experience as a teacher, Shuaib emphasizes the pivotal role of native language in facilitating communication and comprehension among students. “It is not about how good you are as a teacher or how amazing your teaching and classroom skills are. The first thing needed is communication and comprehension,” he states, underscoring the inspiration behind the creation of SciAfrika.
Named as a wordplay of Science-Africa, SciAfrika initially launched its curriculum in Yoruba, focusing on core science subjects including Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. With plans to expand to more indigenous languages and subjects, the platform aims to cater to the diverse linguistic landscape of the continent.
CMO Jibril Salaudeen highlights the platform’s impact, stating, “We have taught hundreds of kids for months. There is a need for more languages to be included, but we decided to start at home, where it hit the most. And Yoruba was the language people were most eager to learn in.”
Key to SciAfrika’s accessibility is its interactive app portal, which can be downloaded and utilized by parents and students with or without an internet connection. CTO Joshua Oyeleke emphasizes the importance of ensuring ease of use and accessibility, particularly for underserved communities. “We wanted the app to be accessible to everyone, and we understand the challenges faced by a good population of Nigerians who need SciAfrika the most,” he explains.
By bridging the gap between international educational standards and local linguistic contexts, SciAfrika aims to empower millions of students across the continent and address gender disparities in STEM fields. The platform officially launched on February 14th, with enrollment now open for interested learners.
SciAfrika represents a transformative step towards redefining education in Africa, fostering inclusivity, and unlocking the potential of future generations.
