Too often, EdTech investments in Ethiopia focus on distributing devices or rolling out platforms, without ensuring teachers and school leaders know how to use them effectively in the classroom. The May 2026 edition of EdTech Mondays Ethiopia tackles this disconnect head-on, asking how capacity-building for educators can shift from one-off training sessions to a deliberate, data-informed part of the EdTech value chain.
The program, set to air at 8:10 p.m. EAT on Monday, 25 May 2026, on Fana FM 98.1 and ten affiliated FM radio stations nationwide, will examine how professional development can evolve beyond basic digital literacy toward more structured, competency-driven models. At the core of the discussion is how better use of data, drawn from classrooms as well as digital platforms, can help link EdTech investments to tangible improvements in teaching practice and student engagement.
Moderated by journalist, producer, and cyber reporter Rediet Meshesha, the panel convenes Emebet Negash, Senior Teacher at Pantokrator International Academy; Melash Azane Kibatu, Principal at Pantokrator, Yohana Anteneh, a senior student at the same school; and Bisrat Girma , CPO of Astemari.net, an EdTech company. The conversation will focus on how real-time insights, including classroom observation tools and platform analytics, can enable school leaders to take a more forward-looking approach, identifying gaps early and tailoring support to teachers based on their actual classroom needs rather than relying on standardized training packages.
The episode will also explore the day-to-day constraints that teachers face, from limited collaboration opportunities to the challenges of fostering a school environment that encourages experimentation with new tools. It will further explore how the growing use of digital data is reshaping communication around student progress, both within schools and with parents.
By connecting classroom realities with system-level priorities, the discussion will consider how Ethiopia can better align data, training, and leadership to close the gap between technology adoption and improved learning outcomes. The emphasis is not just on scaling tools, but on ensuring they are used in ways that meaningfully strengthen teaching and learning.
EdTech Mondays Ethiopia forms part of a broader Africa-wide initiative led by the Mastercard Foundation to encourage informed dialogue on the role of technology in education. Produced by Shega Media & Technology in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation Ethiopia office, the series brings together policymakers, educators, and innovators to examine how digital solutions can support a more capable and resilient education system.