Ubongo's Edutainment: Bridging the digital divide in African Children's Education

Group Submission Type: Workshop

Description of Session

The advancement of technology has transformed education, reshaping how we engage with knowledge in a rapidly digitizing world. Yet, in many African contexts, the digital divide poses significant challenges to ensuring equitable access to quality education. This workshop aims to explore how Ubongo, a leading African edutainment NGO, has navigated these challenges to reach over 42 million households across the continent. With over a decade of experience, Ubongo has harnessed technology to deliver content that educates and entertains, using platforms such as television, mobile apps, and digital downloads to reach children in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.

The purpose of this workshop is to share Ubongo's innovative approach to educational entertainment (edutainment), which combines fun and engaging content with critical learning outcomes. The workshop will focus on Ubongo’s three main shows: *Akili and Me*, designed for early childhood development; *Ubongo Kids*, which covers science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and life skills for older children; and *Nuzo and Namia*, a story-driven program aimed at promoting literacy. Through interactive storytelling, songs, and problem-solving activities, Ubongo fosters a growth mindset among children, empowering them to become lifelong learners, innovators, and problem-solvers.

In line with the CIES 2025 theme, "Envisioning Education in a Digital Society," this workshop will present how Ubongo's edutainment model can be a powerful tool to overcome barriers in education caused by limited access to digital infrastructure. Attendees will gain practical insights into content creation, distribution strategies, and how Ubongo adapts its programs to diverse technological environments.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
* Understand the core principles of edutainment and how it can enhance learning outcomes in diverse contexts.
* Analyze how Ubongo’s content creation and distribution strategies bridge gaps in digital access.
* Explore how to adapt edutainment models to fit various educational needs, focusing on children’s socio-emotional, literacy, and STEM skill development.
* Collaborate to brainstorm solutions for using media and technology to deliver education in low-resource settings.
* Comprehend Human Centred Design as a key element to innovation.

Delivery Plan (Methodology):
The workshop will be structured as follows:
1. Introduction (10 minutes)
- A brief overview of Ubongo's mission, key achievements, and challenges in delivering education to children across Africa.
- A video showcasing highlights from *Akili and Me*, *Ubongo Kids*, and *Nuzo and Namia*.

2. Interactive Discussion (20 minutes)
- Facilitated discussion on how technology has reshaped educational practices, specifically in contexts with limited digital infrastructure. Participants will reflect on how the Ubongo model and HCD could be adapted to other regions.

3. Group Activity: Designing Edutainment (20 minutes)
- Participants will be divided into small groups and tasked with designing a basic concept for an edutainment show tailored to the needs of children in their contexts. Each group will present their concept and receive feedback.

4. Case Study Presentation (15 minutes)
- Ubongo’s Education Outreach Manager will share a detailed case study on how the organization has reached children in rural and low-tech environments, emphasizing the use of mass media and mobile technology to bridge the digital divide.

5. Q&A and Reflection (10 minutes)
- Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and discuss how they might implement similar approaches in their educational contexts.

Goals of the Workshop:
- To demonstrate how edutainment can be a transformative tool in addressing educational challenges in low-resource settings.
- To equip participants with practical knowledge of content creation and distribution strategies that overcome technological barriers.
- To foster collaboration and creative thinking around adapting educational media for diverse global contexts.

Sub Unit

• Book launches and Workshops / Workshop

Chair

• Suliyat Adeola Adeleye Idris, Ubongo

Workshop Organizer

• Suliyat Adeola Adeleye Idris, Ubongo

Presenter

• Anett Charles Ngongi, Ubongo Learning

Discussant

• Suliyat Adeola Adeleye Idris, Ubongo