#None #English Proficiency #Efekta Education #Pharo Foundation

Introduction

In a groundbreaking initiative, Efekta Education Group has launched a new program designed to improve English proficiency among teachers and secondary school students in Somaliland, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Kenya. This ambitious venture aims to address the significant gap in English language skills, which is crucial for success in higher education and the global job market. Through a partnership with Pharo Foundation, an organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities in Africa, Efekta aims to empower both educators and learners in this region by providing access to top-quality educational resources powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

The Program's Structure

Starting in December 2025, the initiative will roll out in two phases. The first phase focuses on training all teachers in Pharo primary and secondary schools through Efekta's AI-driven English learning platform. This innovative platform is designed to equip educators with the necessary language skills for effective teaching, thereby enhancing instructional quality and student outcomes. The second phase, set to begin in early 2026, will extend this program to secondary school children in Somaliland and Ethiopia, aiming to create a sustainable, long-term impact on education in these countries.

Stephen Hodges, the CEO of Efekta Education Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasising that combining AI technology with Pharo Foundation’s commitment to quality education presents a unique opportunity to elevate educational standards, benefitting a whole generation.

Addressing the Educational Gap

The necessity of this program stems from a concerning reality: countless secondary school students across Africa graduate without the English language skills essential for further education and decent employment. Enhancing English proficiency is not merely a linguistic challenge but a vital part of economic development, social mobility, and workforce readiness.

Tim Kasperidus, Chief Operating Officer of Pharo Foundation, articulated this sentiment, noting that their mission is to ensure that young individuals have access to high-quality education and prospects. The partnership with Efekta is poised to enrich English instruction for both teachers and students, furthering educational pathways and economic empowerment.

Proven Impact

Efekta's methods are rooted in data-driven successes; a remarkable case study in Brazil highlights this. With over four million learners, the company demonstrated that collaborative learning between teachers and students can significantly boost academic performance—evidenced by a 32.5% improvement in English proficiency on state exams in just two years. By providing personalized AI tutors that adapt to individual learning needs, Efekta's platform facilitates accelerated progress and measurable advancements in learning outcomes.

Accessible and scalable, Efekta’s approach is cost-effective—comparable to the price of a single textbook per student annually—and positions itself as a feasible solution to steadily increase English proficiency across diverse educational landscapes.

A Continental Blueprint

This partnership could be a transformative model for educational reform across Africa, promoting the integration of technology into language learning. By emphasizing the efficacy of combined teacher and student learning, it stands to boost overall workforce development in the region.

Pharo Foundation is dedicated to tackling challenges in education, water, and productivity, focusing on creating a self-reliant future for Africa. Aiming to educate over 25,000 students by 2035 through a network of high-quality schools, the Foundation is paving the way for a more productive and empowered youth generation.

Conversely, Efekta continues to redefine education with its AI-powered solutions that are reshaping traditional learning paradigms and making high-quality education more affordable and accessible for everyone.

Conclusion

Efekta's collaboration with Pharo Foundation not only aims to uplift educational standards in the selected African countries but also aspires to inspire broader adoption of technology in education across the continent. By focusing on English proficiency, this initiative serves as a launching pad for youth empowerment, workforce readiness, and ultimately, economic progression in Africa. As the program unfolds, both organizations are excited about the potential to scale these efforts and disseminate impactful education solutions to even more areas in need.