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Meet the phone that ‘speaks’ 50 African languages

Meet the phone that ‘speaks’ 50 African languages

ANGE KUMASI, BIRD STORY AGENCY WHEN David Kouamé decided to improve his literacy in his mother tongue, he went to the city centre in Abidjan not to register for tutoring services, but to buy a mobile phone. Kouamé had heard about a new, locally developed and assembled smartphone with a voice control system that can understand 50 African languages. "It is important to speak our African languages and teach them to our children. When I heard about this phone, I knew I had to get it. I'm very happy to have this superphone as I can speak my mother tongue…
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Children learn in class, and outside. But, over time, they learn more at school

Children learn in class, and outside. But, over time, they learn more at school

SCHOOL is a key component of our societies. In school, children learn to read and write. And being able to read is meant to help people of all ages to think at a higher level and make their lives better. SYMEN A. BROUWERS, Extraordinary Research Scientist, North-West University It is not surprising that literacy is thus an important goal for global development agencies. The “multiplier effect” of literacy is believed to empower people, enabling them to participate in society and improve their livelihoods. The truth is, learning basic skills such as solving arithmetic problems at school doesn’t necessarily make you…
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Education and inequality in 2021: how to change the system

Education and inequality in 2021: how to change the system

SINCE its earliest traces, at least 5,000 years ago, formal education – meaning an education centred on literacy and numeracy – has always been highly selective. Ancient Egyptian priest schools and schools for scribes in Sumeria were only open to the children of the clergy or future monarchs. CONRAD HUGHES, Research Associate at the University of Geneva's department of Education and Psychology; Campus and Secondary Principal at the International School of Geneva's La Grande Boissière, Université de Genève Later on, the wealthy would use private tutors, such as the Sophists of Athens (500 - 400 BCE). Ancient Greek schools, such…
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