Vodafone Foundation

Refugee classrooms are perhaps the toughest in the world. Throughout Africa, teachers are routinely working in under-resourced classrooms, trying to meet the needs of a large number of mixed-age and mixed-ability learners. Fostering quality learning in these environments remains a constant challenge for even the most talented teachers. This is especially difficult when teachers do not have access to dynamic or updated educational resources. 

In response, the Instant Network School (INS) was designed to address learning resource needs for refugees. In collaboration with the Vodafone Foundation and refugee communities, UNHCR has developed and adapted INS to meet context-specific challenges. Instant Network Schools provide a holistic solution to transform an existing classroom into a multimedia hub for learning – complete with a local network; internet connectivity; sustainable solar power; a classroom kit that includes tablets, a laptop, a projector and speaker; localised digital content; and a robust teacher training programme with a library of digital educational resources. 

Initially developed in Dadaab, with the testing of 13 centres in 2013, each expansion of the INS has adopted a community-driven model whereby the design is co-developed with members of the school community. Through this process, the locations (schools or community centres), the inclusion of specific resources, the training plan, and the programmatic agenda are determined, building on the national priorities and resources. 

Each Instant Network School is supported by a local coach who provides in-service training and support for learners and teachers. Daily logs of INS use are recorded and uploaded to a global platform; which helps to track utilization, flag challenges, and identify areas for re-design or capacity building. 

In December 2019, Vodafone Foundation and UNHCR announced the expansion of the INS programme to benefit 500,000 refugee and host community students and 8,000 teachers with over 200 Instant Network Schools by the end of 2026.  

In February 2020, Vodafone Foundation and UNHCR appointed footballer Mo Salah as the first Ambassador for Instant Network Schools. In his role, Mo Salah was helping raise awareness of the need and importance of quality education for refugee children and the need for greater investment in digital technology, to provide students with a connection to the outside world and a chance to shape their own futures. 

In October 2020, Vodafone Foundation won the Transformational Solutions in Education, Knowledge and Skills award for the INS programme, at the Financial Times/International Finance Corporation Transformational and Business Conference Awards 2020. 

As of September 2024, the INS programme has expanded to 130 centres, with 29 in DRC, 19 in Kenya, 48 in Egypt, 19 in Mozambique, 11 in Tanzania and 4 in South Sudan. Since the programme's inception, over 339,000 students and 6,000 teachers have benefited through a digitally enabled learning environment to enhance teaching and learning with a total of 1,199,585 lives supported by INS since the programme’s inception in 2013.

Impact at a glance

• Since 2013, the Vodafone Foundation has been a flagship partner for UNHCR in both innovation and education, helping to expand refugees’ access to education and connectivity through the Instant Network Schools programme.
• To date, the programme has benefited over 339,000 students and 6,000 teachers, ensuring that refugees and children from the communities that host them have access to accredited, quality, and relevant learning opportunities. There are 130 Instant Network Schools currently operating across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and South Sudan.
• The Instant Network Schools programme is a rare example of an education technology programme that works effectively within schools in refugee camps as well as in the refugee hosting communities and achieves impact because of its community-driven holistic approach. 
• INS has helped refugee children as well as teachers become more motivated and confident and has the potential to have a catalytic impact across the education sector.
• Vodafone Foundation is UNHCR’s largest corporate partner for Connected Education. 
• In 2023, the INS students participated in their first INS Journalism contest, which saw over 250 students submit articles, videos and photo essays reporting on climate change and climate action in their communities. 
• Throughout the year, to supplement their education and improve digital competencies, INS teachers, coaches and students participate in a number of specialized training sessions and complete INS digital courses such as Digital Awareness and Digital Discovery. 

Sustainable Development Goals in focus