As the results of the recently concluded 2024 Nigerian Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) came in last month, they painted a concerning picture. A staggering 76% of the nearly 2 million candidates scored below the midpoint of 200 out of a possible 400 marks.
The alarmingly high underperformance rate highlights the urgent need for comprehensive educational reforms and increased access to quality preparatory resources to ensure students are adequately equipped for these crucial examinations.
However, for Treasure David and the two thousand exam candidates who leveraged Teesas, an edtech platform, the narrative was remarkably different. An impressive 97% of candidates who utilised this platform scored above the 200 midpoint according to the startup, with 15 students achieving scores surpassing 300 – a commendable accomplishment, considering only 0.5% of all examinees attained such exceptional results.
“I feel very proud and happy,” Michael David, the proud father of Treasure, who scored 321 in the JAMB exams, told Bendada.com. Treasure is one out of the fifteen candidates who scored above 300.
“My daughter is someone who doesn’t leave stones unturned. She studied on her phone, and laptop and used the physical centre provided by Teesas,” Onaruyi said excitedly over the call.
While acknowledging Treasure’s exceptional brilliance, he conceded that the study resources proved invaluable for the homeschooled child. Treasure found that using materials provided by Teesas filled in minute details she had inadvertently overlooked during her studies, enabling her to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subjects.
The huge achievement gap between typical students and Teesas users underscores the impact of Teesas’ hybrid coaching programs. This begs the question: what sets Teesas apart?
The Teesas Effect
Founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Osayi Izedonmwen, Teesas initially focused on primary school curriculum learning content delivered through tutor-led videos and e-books. This has evolved into an integrated learning solution through IT physical learning Centres and questions. The startup has also expanded the scope of its learning resources to include a robust library of curriculum-based content for secondary school, entrance and exit classes in multiple languages. JAMB and WAEC preparatory question and answers are housed in Matric, an app by Teesas.
Teesas provides a flexible subscription model to cater to students’ diverse needs. An annual fee of ₦5,000 gives a candidate access to a library of video tutorials and a question bank. To get access to more material candidates can subscribe to a ₦15,000 premium plan and a premium plus plan ₦28,500.
Recognising the challenges posed by intermittent internet connectivity, the startup offers an offline learning solution through its yearly premium plan at different price points. This plan enables students to seamlessly access the app, save, and download video tutorials, ensuring uninterrupted learning even in the absence of an internet connection.
“Our WAEC, UTME and post UTME prep product, Matric, gives candidates access to over 5,000 tutor-led videos that provide answers and tips to most frequently asked SSCE and UTME questions from over the last 40 years,” Izedonmwen said. “They also get the opportunity to take computer-based (CBT) mock exams with detailed explanatory answers from the last 40 years past questions.”
Access to the vast library of learning material helps augment what the students have learnt in school.
“The few weeks he attended lessons at Teesas helped him a lot, especially on the science subjects. He scored 95 in Math,” said the father of Jesse Chimeka, who scored 309 in JAMB.
While Teesas undoubtedly plays a role in students’ success, it’s important to acknowledge the significant contributions of the school, a student’s efforts, and parental support. For example, Chimeka took steps to reduce distractions and enhance their son’s concentration by removing digital devices with social media apps.
Since its launch, Teesas has secured $2 million in funding and boasts over 200,000 active users (over 50,000 Matric subscribers), with nearly 95% of users reporting a significant improvement in their grasp of key concepts.
Izedonmwen’s vision for Teesas to become Africa’s largest learning platform is gaining traction, with the platform’s effectiveness proving a key selling point. Parents, increasingly comfortable with technology-aided education, are becoming Teesas’ strongest advocates.
“When leveraged appropriately and with proper guidance, technology in education serves as a powerful tool for fostering quality learning,” Chimeka said. “It can break down complex concepts, particularly in the sciences, into comprehensible explanations tailored to a child’s level of understanding.”
