Bridge International Academies

Bridge International Academies
for-profit private company
Genre low-cost private schooling in the developing world
Founder Jay Kimmelman[1]
Area served
 Kenya[1]
Website bridgeinternationalacademies.com

Bridge International Academies is a network of low-cost private schools intended for poor people in developing countries. It is currently operational in Kenya.

Model

According to its website, Bridge International Academies follows a standardized model for all its operations to streamline costs and allow for scalability.[2] They also claim to be focused on collecting data at every step to assess and improve their programs. The instructional model used in the schools is direct instruction with carefully prepared scripts for teachers to follow. Their schools are "cashless", i.e., there are no cash payments. All payment, ranging from tuition fee payments by parents to paying for salaries and equipment, is done using mobile phones.[2]

Funding

Bridge International Academies has received funding both from foundations focused on high impact philanthropy and from for-profit investors and venture capitalists. Funders/investors include Pearson Education,[3] Omidyar Network,[4] Mulago Foundation,[5] Jasmine Social Investments,[6] and the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation.

Media and blog coverage

Media coverage

Bridge International Academies has been covered in many media outlets across the world such as The Guardian (UK),[3] The Times (UK), VentureBeat,[7] Mail & Guardian (Africa),[8] Fast Company,[9] Beyond Profit,[10] Harvard Business Review, and others.[11]

Blog coverage

Bridge International Academies has been covered on various blogs including the blog of The Next Billion.[12]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "About Us". Bridge International Academies. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Our Model". Bridge International Academies. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tran, Mark (2012-07-03). "Pearson to invest in low-cost private education in Africa and Asia". The Guardian (UK).
  4. ↑ "Bridge International Academies Launches Affordable Schools in Kenya". Omidyar Network.
  5. ↑ "Bridge International Academies (portfolio page)". Mulago Foundation.
  6. ↑ "Who We Fund (click on Bridge Academies to display details)". Jasmine Social Investments.
  7. ↑ Byrne, Ciara (2011-05-06). "What's cooler than a million dollars? Changing a million lives". VentureBeat.
  8. ↑ Donnelly, Lynley (2011-01-07). "Investors wake up to Africa". Mail & Guardian.
  9. ↑ Katayama, Lisa (2010-11-16). "How the Omidyar Network Pumps Up Nonprofits". Fast Company (magazine).
  10. ↑ Callard, Abby (2011-02-24). "Private Education for the Poor". Beyond Profit.
  11. ↑ "Press". Bridge International Academies. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  12. ↑ Mas, Ignacio (2010-09-02). "Guest Post: Micro e-payments and Low-Cost Schooling in Kenya". The Next Billion.

External links