Old Mutual launches Africa’s Biggest Digital Classroom – A 175th birthday legacy initiative
An enduring lesson learnt throughout our 175-year existence is that, while things rapidly change around us, the things that truly matter don’t! The desire to keep learning and growing is one such thing that remains a driving force behind everything we do at Old Mutual. Education is central to this.
“Wealth, if you use it, comes to an end; learning, if you use it, increases.” Swahili Proverb
In perhaps our most ambitious move yet, Old Mutual has committed to building Africa’s Biggest Digital classroom so that we can extend the Education-based work already being done across the Group to so many more.
This Digital Classroom is being designed to respond to the challenges of widespread education exclusion, low Financial Literacy rates on the continent, vastly uneven teacher-to-learner ratios, as well as accessibility to physical and financial resources that continue to hamper the success of the delivery of Education on the continent today, and into the future.
We want to deliver long-term societal impact
Our aim as a business, is to be able to effectively respond to an increasingly connected Africa with user-friendly, value-adding solutions and experiences that bring as many people along on this educational journey as possible. Designed with a generation of digital-first, tech-savvy users in mind, but mindful of the wealth of knowledge coming through from past generations, Africa’s Biggest Digital Classroom will enhance the capabilities of past and present, to shape a brighter future for all well into the future.
While we’re investing in digital capabilities to enhance education across the continent, we know that the future of Africa is still its people! And Africa’s Biggest Digital Classroom has people at its core. We believe that in creating opportunities for people to share and connect using digital technologies, we can contribute to greater inclusivity and a more prosperous continent for all.
Responding to the challenges
Aligned to both Sustainable Development Goal’s 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnerships) as well as our Responsible Business philosophy, we’re working to share, connect, learn and grow together with the communities we serve through Education.
We believe in the power of Education to solve key social issues such as poverty, inequality and unemployment. By continuing to invest in Education today, we know that we can build a more prosperous future for the generations of tomorrow. Old Mutual has partnered with authorities, experts, and practitioners in the field on a number of ongoing initiatives including:
- Dynamic and interactive Financial Education and Inclusion programmes that have reached millions across the African continent. Utilising an array of channels and leveraging off technology, the programmes impart valuable and often life-changing principles that empower customers and communities to build and sustain their lifetime financial goals.
- Investing in Schools, Teachers and Leadership to drive immediate and long-term impact in the Education sector. Old Mutual’ s Education Flagship Project – a longer-term programme with a seven-year investment cycle – is in place to connect the dots between learners, teachers and school leadership through innovative training that has paid off in improved results in affiliated schools.
- Skills Development interventions such as Bursaries, Internships, Learnerships and Graduate Development programmes that seek to create sustainable job opportunities and placements for learners.
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How you can participate
Work is already underway to establish Africa’s Biggest Digital Classroom. We will be creating opportunities for our employees, customers, teachers, learners and many other stakeholders to add their voices to the design process. You can follow our progress and add your voice to the conversation on social media using #175Africa
We look forward to working with you to bring Africa’s Biggest Digital Classroom online!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Old Mutual Digital Classroom?
A: The Old Mutual Digital Classroom is a legacy project being built to deliver long-term social impact in the countries in which the Group operates. It is being established as part of Old Mutual’s 175th birthday commemoration this year, in response to widespread education exclusion on the continent. It will connect learners, teachers, entrepreneurs and all interested stakeholders through a digital platform that is expected to reach across the African continent, delivering education in an innovative way.
Q: But why a digital classroom?
A: We believe in the power of Education to solve key social issues such as poverty, inequality and unemployment. By continuing to invest in Education today, we know that we can build a more prosperous future for the generations of tomorrow. Education exclusion is one of the major challenges facing our continent:
- UNESCO reports that of all regions, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion.
- Over one-fifth of children between the ages of about 6 and 11 are out of school, followed by one-third of youth between the ages of about 12 and 14. Data also shows that almost 60% of youth between the ages of about 15 and 17 are not in school.
- The Association for the Development of Education in Africa reports that an average of 300,000 teachers should be hired each year to universalise primary education and to compensate for attrition due to retirement or teachers leave the workforce.
- Sub Saharan Africa accounts for 57% of the additional primary teachers needed in the world alone.
The need is real and the challenge seems great, but through sustained investment, innovation and collaboration, we believe that Old Mutual can play its part in creating opportunities for sustainable change in the Education space across the continent.
Q: What are you hoping to achieve with this initiative?
A: Our aim as a business, is to:
- Consolidate the work we are doing in the education space by creating access for many more. Financial education and financial inclusion are at the centre of the work we are doing, and through this platform, we hope to increase awareness and inclusion across the continent.
- Effectively respond to an increasingly connected Africa with user-friendly, value-adding solutions and experiences that bring as many people along on this educational journey as possible.
- Deliver against both Sustainable Development Goal’s 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnerships) as well as our Responsible Business philosophy.
Q: How will the Digital Classroom Work?
A: We’re currently setting up the infrastructure to connect learners, teachers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders onto a system that can be widely accessed leveraging the latest technologies including mobile. Designed with a generation of digital-first, tech-savvy users in mind, but mindful of the wealth of knowledge coming through from past generations, Africa’s Biggest Digital Classroom will enhance the capabilities of past and present, to shape a brighter future for all well into the future
Q: Will this digital classroom only be available to Old Mutual clients?
A: The classroom will be available to everyone that seeks to make use of it, both Old Mutual client and the greater public.
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Q: What will the Digital Classroom curriculum consist of?
A: Primarily, it will consist of comprehensive financial education programmes targeted at a range of learners, and designed to broaden financial inclusion across the continent. The content will also address the current educational challenges faced on the continent, by bringing together the expertise Old Mutual has built over 175 years, with the input of current practitioners and subject-matter experts in the education sector. We are also cognisant of the cultural and traditional nuances that influence learning across the continent, and as such, this platform needs to reflect this.
Q: When will the Digital Classroom be ready and where can people access it?
A: The digital classroom will be ready in the latter part of 2020. The platform is currently in development and as soon as all necessary information is ready, it will be made available to the public.
Q: Will the digital classroom be available in all 54 countries on the continent or only a select few?
A: For now, the digital classroom will only be available in the 13 markets that Old Mutual operates in.
Q: Which countries are going to get the digital classroom first and why?
A: The pilot phase will start in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Ghana. Once the pilot has been successfully carried out, it will be rolled out in other markets. We are piloting this initiative in some of our key territories because we want to get as diverse feedback as possible to strengthen the platform once it is extended across the continent.
Q: Who will be targeted to benefit from this digital classroom? Will it be learners only?
A: The digital classroom will target teachers, entrepreneurs, learners, primary and high school education. We believe in lifelong learning, and the design of Africa’s Biggest Digital Classroom will reflect this sentiment.
Q: Will Old Mutual be partnering with any organisations to bring this digital classroom to life?
A: Yes. Old Mutual will be partnering with governments, education providers, telcos, NGO and any like-minded organisations seeking to make an impact to the societies in which they operate.
Q: How Can I Participate?
A: Work is already underway to establish Africa’s Biggest Digital Classroom. We will be creating opportunities for our employees, customers, teachers, learners and many other stakeholders to add their voices to the design process. You can follow our progress and add your voice to the conversation on social media using #175Africa