In the hope to better improve communication between learners and teachers, Cryton Sibanda created a free and easy-to-use mobile application, Edu-spec. Sibanda hopes to further modify and develop the app after recently matriculating from Sandown High School in Morningside.
The idea for the app came from the disconnection the 18-year-old experienced during the last two years of his high school career. “At school, we had this issue with timetables where we were it would change four times in a single term. That was a problem because learners didn’t know what classes to go to and it caused a very big issue with the management of the school. The messages were ultimately not being conveyed properly so I wanted a solution for that,” he said.
What initially started out as a problem-solver for timetable distribution turned into a prototype with so much more to offer. “We started adding push notifications for things like extra classes and sport activities. As time went on, in an effort to get students to study more, we even added a countdown that would make learners more aware of important events like exams.”
Learners have the option to download past examination papers to practice, vote in school elections and even directly order stationery. “The app will be personalised according to each school. It includes information on the school, staff and faculty as well as a message board which allows students to communicate with each other in addition to the teachers.”
Sibanda said that even though he will be taking a gap year this year, he still hopes to further develop the app. “Due to not having enough funds, I will be working to save up enough money to go to varsity next year. I want to study computer science and expand my skill set.”
He added that the goal was to partner with three schools as well as with his dream company, Vodacom. “Partnering with Vodacom will give the learners exposure and it also allows me to provide the school with Wi-Fi – if they don’t have any,” he concluded.
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