Tabshoura is a free multi-lingual e-platform developed by social enterprise Lebanese Alternative Learning, which provides educational resources and support for students and teachers in the under-funded Lebanese education system.

THE CHALLENGE:

Over the past 20 years, the quality of education in Lebanon has steadily deteriorated. In 2018, the UN Human Development indicators placed the country in the bottom third of regional rankings in terms of educational quality. This is especially true for schools that use the outdated Lebanese national curriculum. Standards have been heavily impacted by the influx of Syrian refugees since 2011, placing a huge strain on an already crumbling system.

This has led to high drop-out rates, especially for children from vulnerable areas or those with overcrowded schools. While a number of e-platforms and e-learning initiatives have attempted to fill the gap between the provision and the need for education, they have not been able to achieve their intended impact, either due to poor access to the internet or not being fit for purpose in the reality of Lebanon.

THE ORGANISATION:

LAL, the provider and developer of the Tabshoura project is an EdTech social enterprise that seeks to give every child access to free quality education anytime, and anywhere, utilising online digital programs and offline access solutions. They primarily focus on reaching vulnerable children and aim to prevent them from slipping through the net.

LAL has developed the Tabshoura project with a specific pedagogical focus, and have a team of education technology, IT experts, and developers who work closely with educational experts to develop a curriculum that is flexible and fit for purpose within the Lebanese experience. With three programs currently underway, and a further three programs under development, all of which are provided with trilingual content, LAL is looking to find ways to provide a range of income-generating services, and thereby reduce their reliance on donor funding.

ALFANAR’S SUPPORT: LOOKING AHEAD

Through Alfanar’s support, LAL is seeking to increase the scale of their impact, the financial sustainability of their operations, and improve their organisational efficiency. Alfanar’s assistance will be provided through the ASSET programme, as well as through mentorship for the Tabshoura team, with a focus on social impact modelling and measurement to help staff demonstrate the current positive impact of the Tabshoura program. Alongside this, Alfanar will assist with the development and refinement of an organisational HR structure to help create a strong base for the future scaling of Tabshoura. There will also be a focus on the development of a business plan, alongside assistance in creating financial predictions to ensure that the program can be sustainably developed for future development.

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