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Ascend

Ascend is a cloud-based school management platform designed to transform administrative processes for schools across Africa. We understand the unique challenges faced by African institutions, and Ascend offers a comprehensive suite of tools specifically tailored to streamline daily operations, boost efficiency, and foster a more connected school community.

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Problem Statement

African schools, especially those with limited resources, struggle with manual administrative tasks. Paperwork burdens staff, data is scattered across systems, and human error leads to inaccurate reporting. Communication between teachers, parents, and students is often fragmented, hindering collaboration and learning. Ascend aims to solve these issues by offering a centralized, cloud-based platform for streamlined administration, improved data management, and enhanced communication.

Solution

Ascend automates time-consuming tasks like payroll, lesson plans, and reports. It offers secure cloud storage for centralized data access and analysis. Role-based access controls ensure data security. Designed specifically for Africa, Ascend considers internet connectivity and local regulations, by making provision for an offline mode and auto sync when online. Ascend also offers affordable pricing and user-friendly interfaces for seamless integration and adoption.

Competitive Advantage

Ascend stands out from the crowd with its unique focus on the African context:

Designed for Africa: Ascend is built specifically for the needs of African schools, considering factors like internet connectivity and local regulations. This ensures seamless integration and overcomes challenges that generic platforms might encounter.
Affordability: Ascend understands that budgets can be tight. We offer tailored pricing models that cater to schools with varying financial resources, ensuring every school has access to the benefits of automation.
Ease of Use: User-friendliness is paramount. The platform is designed to be intuitive and require minimal training for staff and teachers. This ensures a smooth transition and rapid adoption within the school community.
Mobile Accessibility: Ascend goes beyond the confines of the office. Access features and manage tasks on desktops, tablets, and smartphones, enabling on-the-go management and communication, fostering flexibility and efficiency.

Design Process

Empathy

Define

Ideate

Prototype

Iterate

User Research

Our user research, conducted through surveys and interviews with staff and parents at 20 schools across Africa, revealed a stark picture of administrative burdens. These statistics highlight the urgent need for a centralized platform like Ascend. By automating tasks, managing data effectively, and fostering communication, Ascend can empower African schools to streamline administration and focus on what matters most: student learning. Here's a glimpse into the challenges schools face:

Paperwork Overload: A staggering 80% of schools reported relying heavily on paper-based systems, leading to delays and difficulties in retrieving information. In 12 schools, this resulted in staff spending over 2 hours daily sorting and managing paper documents.
Data Silos and Inaccurate Reporting: 75% of schools struggled with fragmented data across various systems or paper files. This hindered accurate reporting, with 60% of schools admitting to experiencing data loss or retrieval difficulties at least once a month.
Limited Communication: 55% of parents reported feeling inadequately informed about their child's progress. Additionally, 40% of teachers felt communication between staff and parents was hindered by slow and inefficient methods.

Paperwork Overload: A staggering 80% of schools reported relying heavily on paper-based systems, leading to delays and difficulties in retrieving information. In 12 schools, this resulted in staff spending over 2 hours daily sorting and managing paper documents.
Data Silos and Inaccurate Reporting: 75% of schools struggled with fragmented data across various systems or paper files. This hindered accurate reporting, with 60% of schools admitting to experiencing data loss or retrieval difficulties at least once a month.
Limited Communication: 55% of parents reported feeling inadequately informed about their child's progress. Additionally, 40% of teachers felt communication between staff and parents was hindered by slow and inefficient methods.

Paperwork Overload: A staggering 80% of schools reported relying heavily on paper-based systems, leading to delays and difficulties in retrieving information. In 12 schools, this resulted in staff spending over 2 hours daily sorting and managing paper documents.
Data Silos and Inaccurate Reporting: 75% of schools struggled with fragmented data across various systems or paper files. This hindered accurate reporting, with 60% of schools admitting to experiencing data loss or retrieval difficulties at least once a month.
Limited Communication: 55% of parents reported feeling inadequately informed about their child's progress. Additionally, 40% of teachers felt communication between staff and parents was hindered by slow and inefficient methods.

Teacher Time Drain: Beyond paperwork struggles, 65% of teachers reported spending a significant amount of time on administrative tasks like attendance tracking and grade recording. This valuable time could be better spent on lesson planning, individualized student support, and professional development.
Teacher Shortages and High Workload: Our research also revealed a concerning trend – 70% of schools reported facing teacher shortages. This, coupled with the existing administrative burden, creates a significant strain on educators, potentially impacting their well-being and ultimately, student learning.

Teacher Time Drain: Beyond paperwork struggles, 65% of teachers reported spending a significant amount of time on administrative tasks like attendance tracking and grade recording. This valuable time could be better spent on lesson planning, individualized student support, and professional development.
Teacher Shortages and High Workload: Our research also revealed a concerning trend – 70% of schools reported facing teacher shortages. This, coupled with the existing administrative burden, creates a significant strain on educators, potentially impacting their well-being and ultimately, student learning.

Teacher Time Drain: Beyond paperwork struggles, 65% of teachers reported spending a significant amount of time on administrative tasks like attendance tracking and grade recording. This valuable time could be better spent on lesson planning, individualized student support, and professional development.
Teacher Shortages and High Workload: Our research also revealed a concerning trend – 70% of schools reported facing teacher shortages. This, coupled with the existing administrative burden, creates a significant strain on educators, potentially impacting their well-being and ultimately, student learning.

Visual Design

Let’s Collaborate

Behance

Dribbble

PATRICK

Adanini Patrick

2024

Let’s
Collaborate

Behance

Dribbble

Adanini Patrick

2024

Let’s
Collaborate

Behance

Dribbble

PATRICK

Adanini Patrick

2024