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M-Shule

by Kasia Kotlarska / February 2026

M-Shule

M-Shule, launched in 2017 in Kenya, is the first personalised mobile learning platform in Africa designed to reach learners through SMS, chatbots and simple web apps. Operating in regions where internet access and electricity remain limited but mobile phone usage is high, M-Shule provides literacy, financial literacy, skills and vocational training to marginalised populations, including refugees and people with disabilities. Through partnerships with organisations such as Oxfam, Jacaranda Health, Light for the World and the Danish Refugee Council, the platform has delivered education and training to over 23,000 learners and more than 20,000 households across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Its use of AI allows for tailored instruction, improved exam scores and enhanced digital literacy, while also supporting teachers, parents and programme teams with real-time data insights. Despite challenges around digital literacy, M-Shule’s model demonstrates the potential for accessible, scalable and context-sensitive education technology in the Global South.

Background

Kenya’s education system faces multiple challenges, including high dropout rates, gender disparities, lack of access to quality teaching and inadequate infrastructure in both urban and rural areas. By Grade 4 (aged 9-11), more than 40% of students who began school have already dropped out, while only 20% of secondary school graduates are prepared for university. Refugee populations from neighbouring countries face further barriers. With 77.5% of Kenyans lacking internet connectivity but widespread access to basic mobile phones, there is a clear opportunity to leverage SMS as a medium for accessible education. Against this backdrop, M-Shule (“mobile school” in Swahili) was founded in 2017 to provide inclusive and personalised learning solutions through mobile technology.

The AI solution

M-Shule integrates artificial intelligence with SMS technology to deliver personalised, curriculum-aligned micro-courses in literacy, numeracy, financial literacy and vocational skills. Using adaptive learning technology and item response theory, the system adjusts content difficulty based on learner performance, ensuring that each user progresses at their own pace. AI-driven analytics track learner proficiency, strengths and weaknesses, with dashboards providing real-time insights to teachers, parents and programme partners. Importantly, the system works without internet or smartphones, making it affordable and accessible for low-income households.

Implementation and partnership

M-Shule collaborates with a wide range of organisations, including Tusome, Xavier Project, Aga Khan Foundation, Education Design Unlimited, Oxfam, VSO International, Danish Refugee Council and Jacaranda Health. Key projects include:

Refugee training: In partnership with the Danish Refugee Council, M-Shule delivered SMS-based micro-courses on entrepreneurship and financial literacy to over 600 refugees in English, Swahili and Somali.
Disability inclusion: Partnering with Light for the World, M-Shule trained youth with physical, hearing and visual impairments in employability skills through SMS and Telegram.
Community advocacy: Supporting Oxfam, the platform delivered Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) awareness campaigns in English and Ng’aturkana.
Remedial learning: Across East Africa, M-Shule has supported primary school learners in maths, English and Kiswahili, with results showing 7–20% higher exam scores compared to peers.

To date, M-Shule has reached over 23,000 learners directly and impacted more than 20,000 households across 30 counties in Kenya, as well as in Uganda and Tanzania.

Impact and results

Learning outcomes: Students using M-Shule improved their exam performance by 7–20%. Many reported greater self-confidence, problem-solving skills and digital literacy.
Reduced dropout rates: M-Shule contributed to improved school attendance and higher secondary school enrolment.
Family engagement: Parents participated in literacy learning alongside their children, fostering a culture of education within households.
Teacher and institutional benefits: Teachers reported improved classroom planning, reduced administrative tasks and better data-driven decision-making.
Community-level change: Adult learners applied financial literacy lessons to create saving plans and improve household incomes.

Recognition of M-Shule’s work includes awards from the Mastercard Foundation, Google.org, Cisco, the World Summit Awards, the Global EdTech Startup Awards and the Next Billion EdTech Prize.

Lessons and next steps

M-Shule’s work highlights the importance of meeting learners where they are by leveraging widely available technologies like SMS rather than relying on internet-dependent tools. However, challenges remain:

Strategic challenges: Contextualising curriculum and addressing varying levels of digital literacy across different communities.
Accessibility challenges: Expanding reach requires sustained partnerships with telecom companies to ensure sufficient mobile phone penetration and network support.

Looking forward, M-Shule aims to scale into regions with higher mobile penetration, deepen government partnerships to align with national curricula and enhance AI capabilities with natural language processing for richer learner engagement.