M-Lugha

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$5.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

M-Lugha

Manufacturing/Building Method

N/A

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

Users can download the App from Play Store.

Distributions to Date Status

As of 2020, there were 12,000 children using the app.Interview with representative

Design Specifications

M-Lugha is a multilingual education app for rural communities in Kenya that uses mother tongue languages to aid rural kids to learn. Using animations, sounds, games, and other multimedia tools, the app allows ECD level children to learn using language that they are familiar with and use it as a bridge to learning a second language. The platform supports 19 languages and kids using the app are presented with images or phrases in one language, where they can tap on a button to have it translated into a second language. The content of the App has been designed using the approved curriculum by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. For each local language, learners need to use the app for the specific language and this will contain the primary local languages as well as English and Swahili which are the two instructional languages used in Kenya. For effective utilization, the app can be installed in a solar-powered tablet to aid learning in places where there is no ready access to electricity.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

There is no technical support provided, but the manufacturer provides annual updates for the app.^{Interview with representative.}

Replacement Components

N/A

Lifecycle

N/A

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designers aim to solve the problem of:

• Lack of enough teachers in rural parts of Kenya.
• Language incompetence because language of instruction is not in the first language.
• Barrier between teachers and learners who do not speak the same language.
• Improve digital literacy for rural kids.
• Lack of enough schools in rural areas.
• Supplement what is taught in class.

Vetted Performance Status

Currently under curation by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).^{Interview with representative}

Safety

No known safety hazards are related to this product.

Complementary Technical Systems

For maximum impact, the App can be installed in a solar-powered tablet to be used in areas with limited access to grid power.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

M-Lugha complies with the ECD curriculum by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.

Evaluation methods

The product is evaluated for literacy skills development.

Other Information

1. Videos on media coverage of M-Lugha can be found on YouTube
2. M-Lugha news coverage