Reaching Nigeria's Out-of-School Children Through Digital Learning
The Digital Scholar Initiative (DSI) is a live, cohort-based accelerated learning program for out-of-school children in Nigeria — combining WAEC preparation, digital literacy, and leadership training with real-time progress tracking.
The Situation
The Federal Government of Nigeria confirmed in June 2026 that three out of every four Nigerian children cannot read an age-appropriate text by the age of 10. More than 20 million children have dropped out between primary school and junior secondary school. The government has acknowledged the crisis, called for accelerated learning programs, and said digital technology is no longer optional.
Nigeria has 80,000 public primary schools and 15,000 junior secondary schools. That structural gap — a 1:8 ratio — means that for every 8 children who complete primary school, only 1 school exists to receive them at the secondary level. The resulting mass dropout is not a behaviour problem. It is an infrastructure problem.
How DSI Works
The children who dropped out are not unreachable. They are not disinterested in learning. They are waiting for someone to meet them where they are. DSI meets them at three access levels — and the accountability infrastructure is the same across all three tiers. Attendance is tracked. Assessments are submitted digitally and graded automatically. Performance data is visible to facilitators in real time. No child falls behind unseen.
DSI has been operating since February 2026 — not as a concept or a pilot design, but as a running program with real students, real facilitators, real assessments, and real data. The children in our current cohort are not waiting for policy to be implemented. They showed up. They are still showing up.
Current Sponsors & Partners
What Makes DSI Different
Most remedial education programs suffer from three chronic failures: no tracking of whether learning actually happened, no digital literacy component, and no evidence of outcomes. DSI is designed to eliminate all three.
Three Core Pillars
Our Learning Philosophy
We prioritise user-centred self-learning — placing the learner at the heart of the process. Content is personalised, progression is based on genuine mastery, and learners move at their own rhythm. This foundation is supported by Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL), mastery-based progression, and practical tools that build confidence through sustained engagement.
Technology Components
| Platform / Tool | Function | What We Track |
|---|---|---|
| Ready Exam Prep App Junior, Senior & JAMB tiers |
Curriculum delivery with micro-modules, gamified elements, and exam-focused practice | Engagement, retention, skill application |
| Google Classroom | Assignment submission, grading, and facilitator communication | Submission timestamps, assessment scores, participation |
| Digital Workspace Tools | Collaborative documents, project management, communication | Task completion, collaboration, digital literacy |
For many participants — especially those who could not sit for JAMB due to significant learning gaps — leadership development rebuilds confidence and provides a broader sense of purpose. We prepare learners not only to pass examinations but to show up in their communities with competence and self-belief.
Our Active Cohorts
DSI delivers structured WAEC preparation, digital literacy development, and leadership training to students who fell out of the formal school system — five months in, still running.
1. The L10 Pathfinders Cohort
Our active proof-of-concept — five months in, still running strong.
Program Overview
The L10 Pathfinders Cohort supports out-of-school and under-resourced youth in mastering the SS1 to SS3 curriculum for WASSCE. Learners engage through live online classes, self-paced micro-modules, and practical projects — all tracked at every step.
How We Operate
- Resource Focus: Funding prioritises qualified instructors and effective program delivery — not administrative overhead.
- Operational Infrastructure: Curriculum, platforms, and monitoring systems are fully built and active. Funding accelerates reach, not setup.
- Balanced Support: A mix of self-directed learning, light coaching, and reflection activities ensures learners build independence while receiving guidance when they need it.
- Continuous Tracking: Attendance is logged by timestamp. Assignments are submitted digitally and auto-graded. Facilitators see every student's performance history in real time.
After five months, participants are showing up consistently, engaging with learning activities, and staying on track with their goals. We are tracking attendance, focus, and assessment performance — and working to ensure every learner passes their examinations with a clear pathway forward.
Cohort Partners
2. Blue Berry Digital Scholar Cohort
A second cohort is in development. Details will be announced here as the program takes shape. If you are interested in supporting or partnering on this upcoming cohort, reach out to our partnerships team.
Partner With Us
DSI invites collaboration with international organisations, foundations, NGOs, and government bodies committed to expanding access to quality, learner-centred education. The model works. The infrastructure exists. What we need now is reach.
Why Now
The government has acknowledged the crisis. The policy calls have been made. The accelerated learning programs have been endorsed. The Minister of Education said plainly: "We don't have a choice." DSI is already providing the answer — we are not presenting a concept, but a running program with real learners, real data, and real outcomes.
Areas of Collaboration
The Digital Scholar Initiative directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Our real-time tracking and outcome data provide the evidence layer that makes impact reporting to international donors substantive rather than anecdotal.
Get In Touch Directly
Prefer to reach us directly? Use any of the options below. We welcome site visits from potential partners — seeing the program in operation is more persuasive than any document we can send.
Contact Our Partnerships Team
Fill in the form below and we'll get back to you within 48 hours. You can also reach us on 08107239402 or email hello@zanetutors.com.ng.