South African Ed-tech startup Foondamate has expanded its operations in Nigeria to give students access to online learning resources in multiple languages through low-data instant messaging applications like Whatsapp.
Foondamate makes use of WhatsApp to teach students, as the platform helps students who do not have adequate access to the internet to learn with the aid of localized chatbots.
It also enables students to use the platform to search for concepts, download research papers, do simple mathematics calculations, and define words. With its recent launch in Nigeria, students can access localized learning materials, such as junior and senior WAEC examination papers from previous years.
The Ed-tech platform is currently available in 10 different African languages, as users are engaged in their native languages which creates a unique form of user excitement that takes users into consideration while providing access to education.
Since its launch, it has been on a mission to help students to prosper irrespective of their available resources at home or in school. The company believes that even though opportunities are not available to everyone, talent can still be distributed equally.
How Students Can Use The Foundamate Chatbot
The FoondaMate chatbot works the same way as when one is chatting with a friend. All the student have to do is to message the specialized Whatsapp number in other to begin a conversation.
Once they send messages asking a question, the chatbot will give feedback of detailed information based on the question that was asked which is sent in form of a response.
For example, a user can ask a question like “what is climate change?”, immediately the chatbot receives the question it will automatically reply the answer to the question asked.
When preparing for specific exams, users can request past examination papers, such as “WAEC biology 2014”. The bot will reply in the chat with a pdf file of the requested past examination which the user can download or share with others.
The Ed-tech platform has disclosed that ever since its expansion into Nigeria, it has been a feeling of ecstasy due to the positive feedback and response they have been getting from users.
The startup co-founder Tao Boyle said, “Nigerian students don’t hold back. They tell you exactly what they think as soon as they see it. At first, we thought it would be difficult to get feedback, but it’s been completely the opposite.
“Students sign up and on the same day they email us telling us how much they love the product and recommending other things they would like to see on the platform.”
According to research, one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria, with Foundamate expansion into the country, it will help to bridge the gap by providing students with affordable learning, Investors King understands.