Smart Initiative, a Rwanda-based software distribution company has launched the ‘Smart Parent’ project that will allow all parents and teachers to monitor their children and students’ behaviour and whereabouts during school hours.

The initiative which was launched on Wednesday will help parents receive daily SMS reports on their student’s academic achievements and status is now being piloted at Lycée Notre Dame de Citeaux in Kigali.

It uses ICT and internet solutions to enable schools, and particularly teachers to do follow up of students.

Olivier Karasira, the Smart Initiative CEO explained the initiative is of more benefit to parents, teachers and students.

"This tool will help parents and schools to provide the best study environment for children as they are monitored where ever and when ever,” he said.

He added that the software will bring a positive change in students’ behaviour, adding that they will soon roll out the initiative to other schools in the country, adding that the schools involved in the project, will be adequately provided with wireless connection for laptops.

"We are targeting to hand over 23,000 laptops by 2017. In partnership with different institutions including Positivo BGH and the government, we hope to equip scores of schools with laptops countrywide,” he said.

Edouard Uhagaze, deputy head teacher in charge of studies at Lycee Notre Dame de Citeaux commended the new initiative, saying it would enable parents and educators monitor their children’s performance at school and help them improve academically.

"With this system, teachers can easily connect with the parents with a simple application or SMS and parents are already excited about this, previously we have been waiting for the term to end and give information to parents. It is a solution for us teachers, and parents to monitor children’s performance in our school,” he said.

‘Smart Parent’ comes in as a complementary tool that will help parents to communicate with schools, as the country puts more efforts in education.

Smart Initiative distributes "Made in Rwanda” Positivo BGH laptops in every classroom to provide an outstanding support for a better education in a dynamic social entrepreneurship environment.

Apart from Rwanda, In Europe, the initiative is already present in Greece and the software is already being adapted in the countries.

It has also already gained solicitations from across Africa where the solution is being implemented in six countries namely; Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Gabon, Gambia and Uganda where Karasira is currently doing the project pilot phase.

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