Digital Learning
Bridging the digital divide through tech-enabled education
UN SDGs 1,4,5,8,9,10,11, 16,17
In partnership with the Ministry of Education, Lyra is equipping rural schools in Tanzania with the training and infrastructure needed for digital EdTech learning. Our work ensures both students and teachers can participate in a connected, modern world.
Rural schools are poorly resourced - digital learning can help to close the gap.
In a context where there is no electricity, water or internet, having access to technology is hugely empowering.
Lyra also partners with TIE, The JMK Foundation, Shule Direct and Camara Education Tanzania to supply digital learning in rural secondary schools. This enables students and teachers to access high quality, relevant, offline content, tools and resources that complement and work hand-in-hand with the Tanzanian curriculum.
Since 2017, we’ve installed twenty computer labs across twenty rural schools, reaching 12,000 students. As well as adding computer lounges for teachers in school, Lyra has also introduced two computer labs in two teacher colleges.
Download Lyra’s Blueprint for Tech Inclusive Education here →
“The teachers are loving the program more and more. It was hard in the beginning when teachers didn’t understand how to use the tablets. Now teachers say the students are answering exam questions much better because of them. They love the new software Shule Direct, because it is closely linked to the Tanzanian curriculum”.
— Neema Magembe, Digital Learning Mentor
Tech-Inclusive Education (TIE)
Lyra’s Tech-Inclusive Education (TIE) program is designed to transform learning environments in underserved rural Tanzanian schools by integrating digital technology in a sustainable and meaningful way. The initiative focuses on the sustainability and management of digital infrastructure through school EdTech committees. It also fosters collaboration across schools through regional Communities of Practice. The objective of the TIE programme is to create community-led, resilient EdTech in rural schools.
After a successful pilot in Iringa, the program is now being expanded to three additional regions across mainland Tanzania through a partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Tanzania and the President’s Office. Lyra’s role is to spearhead and demonstrate a proven, community-led model that can later be handed over to larger national actors and major education partners to scale the program countrywide.
A cornerstone of the TIE program is long-term investment in digital capacity building for both teachers and students. Teachers receive structured training to integrate ICT into their lessons, create digital assessments, and utilize technology to enhance instruction. Students gain hands-on experience through computer labs and ICT clubs, developing essential digital literacy and problem-solving skills. By equipping teachers to become “Tech integration leads” and encouraging student leadership in lab upkeep and peer support, the program builds a sustainable digital culture that can be adopted and expanded by other organizations as the model transitions toward national scale.
With warm thanks to our sponsors GreensafeIT and SoftCat for their generous and committed support in supplying over 700 computers to over 20 schools.
Working in Partnership with the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF)
Lyra has partnered with the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation to bring the TIE program to Zanzibar, marking an important milestone in the program’s expansion strategy. This collaboration will support the formation of EdTech committees, teacher and student training, and the establishment of local Communities of Practice. Together, Lyra and JMKF are laying the foundation for long-term digital transformation in Zanzibari schools.