An upcoming App service for learners without internet connection in Zimbabwe
When COVID-19 hit Zimbabwe in March last year, it resulted in a national lockdown that subsequently prompted the closing of schools, libraries and all physical interactions between students and teachers in order to help contain the spread of the virus. This resulted in the introduction of online learning, however many students could not afford access online learning. It was reported that at least 40% of the entire population has no Internet access. The net effect of the pandemic was that it exacerbated the education inequality gap.
In an initiative submitted by Bongani Dube after FNF Africa's invitation to innovators, creatives and entrepreneurs after World Creativity and Innovation Day 2021, their solution was a mobile Application called Jotter. Jotter is an integrated digital education service that caters for the unique academic needs of students and teachers. "The choice to develop a mobile education app was predicated on the need for a solution tailored to meet the challenges of Zimbabwean students such as lack of Internet access and smartphone ownership." In addition, "Zimbabwe has a mobile penetration rate of 87% (EconetZim, zimmail) and local service providers already make use of USSD functions. As an offline app Jotter allows smartphone users to access pre-saved study resources and request offline content. It also allows feature phones to access the same resources via USSD for SMS and Voice delivery for free" said Bongani.
On World Innovation and Creativity Day, 21 April 2021, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Sub-Saharan Africa invited entrepreneurs, innovators and creatives across the region to submit the most innovative solutions they have made that have helped their initiatives, start ups, businesses re-establish or survive during the COVID-19 pandemic. This forms part of the FNF 2021 global campaign titled RE:START21
We ask, what can we learn from the pandemic? Let's talk new ideas! #Restart21
A screenshot of one of the interfaces of the the JOTTER APP
