The WhatsApp Academy
Meet Maxwell Chimesza, a 27 year old self-taught tutor in Zimbabwe who developed an exam preparation program for students on WhatsApp, and sparked an education revolution with just a Samsung Galaxy phone, and 32GB of storage.
Maxwell lives in Mbare, one of the poorest townships in the country. Growing up with aunts as teachers, Maxwell was passionate about education and was a gifted, dedicated student. Although he earned 14 A-Level examination distinctions at school, he couldn’t fulfill his dream of university because his family were unable to pay for a teaching degree.
When unemployment ravaged Zimbabwe in 2019, Maxwell struggled to find a job. Taking matters into his own hands, he launched a 'student polishing service' to help kids prepare for exams. “As someone who could not get to university for lack of funds, I was confident I had the capacity and knowledge to help other students earn top grades.” Without access to a computer and unable to pay Zimbabwe’s exorbitant internet rates, Maxwell launched his service through WhatsApp, which offered more affordable bundles.
Creating class timetables and materials, Maxwell ran mock tests to prepare his students for upcoming exams and families paid him $10 per subject each month to help cover his data. When COVID-19 hit, demand for Maxwell’s services suddenly skyrocketed. With many Zimbabwean households struggling to access the high speed Wi-Fi required for remote learning, Maxwell’s WhatsApp classroom was an accessible, effective option.
Today, Maxwell, or ‘Dr Maxx’ as he’s known in the classroom, has tutored over 700 students. His school gained public attention earlier this year when his class of 64 WhatsApp students snagged 41 A-grade marks and 100% pass rate, placing them in the same league as students from Zimbabwe’s most expensive elite boarding schools. Maxwell is now on a mission to incorporate WhatsApp schools as part of the public curriculum, giving more kids access to affordable and a wider scope of quality education.
“The quality of education in most schools is poor compared to boarding and private schools. I would like my school to grow. WhatsApp schools mean no expensive uniforms or desks.”
