Towards a Transformed Education Services in Kenya: The State of Digital Learning and ChildFund Kenya's Elimu KiDijitali Project.
James F.O. K'Adede Hon'gs
Program Development, Fundraising, and Resource Development Professional with extensive experience in Programme Development & Execution, Leadership in Design, Quality Assurance, Business Development executive leadership.
Transforming Education Services in Kenya: The State of Digital Learning and ChildFund Kenya's Elimu Kidijitali Project
?By James Adede (Grants Acquisition & Management Lead), with contributions from Evah Njeru (Project Officer, Elimu KiDijitali), ChildFund Kenya. Date: 10th May, 2024.
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Introduction:
In recent years, Kenya has made significant strides in embracing digital technologies to enhance learning outcomes and provide access to quality education for all. Traditional boundaries of learning are being replaced and erased by technological programs that ensure the improvement of the scholarly environment. Thus, for children and youth to fit in the global economy, they must have skills of the 21st century according to Sustainable Development Goal 4, ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.’ With the emergence of innovative projects like ChildFund Kenya's Elimu Kidijitali initiative, funded by ChildFund Korea, the landscape of digital learning in the country is evolving rapidly. This article explores the current status of digital learning in Kenya and the impact of the Elimu Kidijitali Project on educational development.
Digital Learning in Kenya:
Digital literacy in Kenya has seen significant progress in recent years, driven by government initiatives, private sector investments, and non-profit organizations' interventions including ChildFund Kenya, leveraging digital tools and resources to revolutionize education delivery. The government's Digital Literacy Program, launched in 2013, aimed to equip primary schools with digital devices and internet connectivity to facilitate interactive and engaging learning experiences. Additionally, the growing availability of online educational platforms, virtual classrooms, and e-learning resources has expanded access to quality education beyond traditional classroom settings.
ChildFund Kenya's Elimu KiDijiTali Project:
ChildFund Kenya in its recent program ‘Elimu KiDijitali’, seeks to achieve SDG 4 and appreciates the need to entrench ICT in teaching and learning processes to enable the development and accreditation of appropriate digital content to enhance the acquisition of 21st-century skills and promote universal access to ICT tools for learners. ChildFund Kenya, in collaboration with ChildFund Korea, introduced the Elimu Kidijitali Project to enhance digital literacy skills among children and educators in selected communities across Kenya.
?The project focuses on providing access to digital devices, training teachers on integrating technology into teaching practices, and empowering students with digital skills for future success, training parents and caregivers, learners and teachers on prevention and redress of OCSEA (Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), provision of digital content and learner digital devices. The project further seeks to equip schools and students with the necessary technology and resources to enhance learning experiences and prepare students for the digital age. By bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive education while addressing online child sexual exploitation and abuse, the Elimu Kidijitali Project aims to create a more equitable and protective learning environment for children in Kenya.
?Although there is goodwill from the government and the communities where we work to embrace technology, there has been some reluctance to fully embrace the technological move by teachers due to fear of being replaced by technology in the classroom. In encouraging the labor force to adapt to the new changes, one of the project’s staff enthused the teachers during the launch of the project in Kiambu County, asserting, “Technology will not replace great teachers but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational” (quoted from George Couros). In a statement by Blessing, a grade six pupil from Kiambu County, further reassured the teachers stating,?“If all of us can use our phones, then we are all good at using digital devices, so no one can say that they do not interact with digital devices.” Key successes of the Elimu Kidijitali Project:
Preliminary assessments of the Elimu Kidijitali Project have shown promising results in improving student engagement, academic performance, and digital literacy proficiency. By incorporating interactive learning modules, multimedia resources, and personalized learning experiences, the project has enhanced the overall quality of education delivery and fostered a culture of innovation and creativity among students and teachers alike. Furthermore, the project has strengthened partnerships with local schools, communities, and stakeholders to sustain long-term impact and scalability.
Key Wins:
1)???? Improved Access to Education: Digital literacy programs have helped bridge the digital divide and provide marginalized communities with access to quality education and learning resources, improving active participation by learners, reducing absenteeism, and improving teacher-learner and classroom experience through improved research by teachers and performance.
2)??? Enhanced Learning Experiences: Integrating digital tools into teaching practices has improved student engagement, academic performance, and critical thinking skills.
3)??? Empowerment of Educators: Training teachers on digital literacy skills has equipped them with the necessary tools to adapt to modern teaching methodologies and enhance their effectiveness in the classroom.
4)?? Youth Empowerment: Digital literacy initiatives have empowered youth with relevant skills for the digital job market such as Ajira, and Digital Divide Data (DDD). DDD is a social enterprise that provides digital skills training and employment opportunities to disadvantaged youth in Kenya. By offering training in data processing, digital marketing, and other IT-related skills, DDD has enabled individuals to secure jobs in the digital sector. increasing their employability and socioeconomic opportunities.
Key Misses:
Although the project successfully conducted project launches and start-up workshops in the targeted counties and received commendable feedback that would be utilized during the project’s implementation, it has also faced several general challenges leading to delayed implementation and low spending rates. These include: i) Delays in the procurement of digital content: mainly exacerbated by inadequate receipt of quotations from vendors in Kenya. This forced the project; ii). Delays in approval of the project by the Government which delayed the project's start-up by almost five months; iii) Connectivity challenges in some parts of the targeted Counties, which made the start-up of the project delayed.
?Additional Challenges/Misses for digital learning in Kenya include:
1)???? Connectivity and Disparity in Access Challenges: There has been uneven distribution of resources and connectivity across different regions. The limited internet connectivity in rural and underserved areas poses a barrier to accessing online educational resources and implementing digital learning initiatives. The project is in consultation with Safaricom Ltd. a major Telecommunication company to ensure Kangangu network bandwidth is increased to procure SIM cards to ensure access to Internet services.
2)??? Compliance with Guidelines: Ensuring full compliance with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of ICTs’ government guidelines for the procurement of learner digital devices remained challenging, leading to delays in getting the right quality devices that meet the minimum specifications as guided by the ICT Authority of Kenya.
3)??? Infrastructure Deficiencies: Inadequate infrastructure, such as a lack of electricity and reliable power supply, hinders the effective implementation of digital literacy programs in some regions. The project has developed linkages with the communities county and national governments, and private sector players to help address infrastructure challenges.
4)?? Skills Mismatch: Despite progress in digital literacy, there is a gap between the skills taught in educational institutions and the demands of the job market, leading to underemployment and unemployment among the youth.
5)?? Sustainability Concerns: Some digital literacy programs face challenges in terms of sustainability, funding, and scalability, which may hinder their long-term impact and reach. ChilDfund’s Elimy Kidijitali project is addressing this by linking the project with the Ministry of ICT’s internet access program, capacity strengthening of teachers, children, police departments, and linkages with communities and the county government.
6)?? Stakeholder Engagement: There has been limited involvement of community leaders and local organizations in the program's implementation. Further, minimal support from the government to push the digital learning initiative and policies that guide on the engagement of public primary schools delayed the approval of the project by the Government, which delayed the project’s kick-off by almost 5 months. Elimu KiDijitali is bridging the gap by ensuring gender equity, inclusive, disability-friendly, and sensitive engagement of various stakeholders including children, communities, CSOs, government, private sector, and other education players across the counties of operation.
7)??? Incomplete and inadequate Localized Content Development: There has been limited progress in phase two of the program due to incomplete content development, particularly for grade 6. The availability of digital learning content aligned with the Kenyan curriculum and KICD-approved remains limited particularly for upper primary grades. This made it difficult and delayed procurement of digital content. These delays have resulted in sluggish implementation of the program low program spending rates, and eventual timely distribution of resources to schools.
8)?? Limited Content for Learners with Disability: There is limited content on Learners with disability which makes it difficult for the learners to access quality digital content equitably. Also the high cost of software/hardware that is required by the Visually impaired. Eg Jaws Software costs are unaffordable and inaccessible to most children with disability.
?Key Opportunities:
a)??? Government Support: The Kenyan government (national and county) has shown a strong commitment to promoting digital literacy through initiatives like the Digital Literacy Program, which aims to equip primary schools with digital devices and internet connectivity.
b)??? Private Sector Partnerships: Collaboration with private sector companies has opened up opportunities for expanding access to digital tools, resources, and training programs for both students and educators.
c)??? Technological Advancements: The rapid advancement of technology and the increasing availability of affordable digital devices have created opportunities to enhance the population's digital literacy skills.
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d)??? Online Learning Platforms: The proliferation of online learning platforms and virtual classrooms provides avenues for continuous learning and skill development outside the traditional classroom setting.
e)??? Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society organizations can help mobilize resources and expertise to support digital learning initiatives effectively.
?The Net effect/ expected results of the support for Elimu Kidijitali from ChildFund Korea (Digital Education) will lead to the following:
Support for digital learning in Kenya through the Elimu Kidijitali Project and other government, CSOs, and private sector-driven programs is crucial for driving educational innovation, fostering skills development, and preparing individuals for success in the digital age. Through concerted efforts and strategic investments, Elimu Kidijitali can transform the education landscape in Kenya and empower individuals to thrive in the digital economy. Some of the expected results include the following:
·?????? Increased Equitable Access: More learners will have access to quality educational resources and opportunities through digital platforms, regardless of their location or background. The ELimu Kidijitali can be scaled up to reach more learners across the country, break down geographical barriers, and provide access to educational resources for learners in remote areas where traditional schools may be limited. This helps increase literacy rates and educational opportunities across the country.
·?????? Improved Learning Outcomes: Digital learning can enhance engagement, collaboration, and personalized learning experiences, leading to improved academic performance, transition, and critical thinking skills among students.
·?????? Empowerment of Educators: Teachers will be better equipped to leverage digital tools and resources to deliver high-quality instruction and support student learning effectively, including learners with special needs.
·?????? Job Creation: By developing digital skills and promoting innovation, digital learning initiatives can contribute to the creation of digital jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities in Kenya's growing tech ecosystem.
?·?????? Enhanced Flexibility and Convenience: Digital learning allows students to learn at their own pace and in flexible environments. They can access educational materials anytime, anywhere, making learning more convenient for those balancing work, family responsibilities, or other commitments.
·?????? Improved Engagement and Motivation: Interactive digital tools and multimedia resources engage learners more effectively than traditional methods. The use of videos, animations, gamified content, and interactive quizzes can make learning fun and engaging, leading to increased motivation and better retention of information.
·?????? Personalized Learning Experience: Digital learning platforms can track individual progress, tailor content to students' specific needs and interests, and provide personalized feedback. This customization enhances learning outcomes by catering to each student's learning style and pace.
·?????? Skills Development for the Digital Age: Digital learning equips learners with valuable digital literacy skills that are essential in today's technology-driven world. By using online tools and resources, students develop proficiency in technology, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration – skills that are highly valued in modern workplaces.
·?????? Cost-Effective and Sustainable Solution: Digital learning programs can reduce the cost of education by eliminating the need for physical textbooks, transportation, and infrastructure. They also promote environmental sustainability by reducing paper usage and carbon footprint associated with traditional education methods.
·?????? Professional Development for Educators: Digital learning programs provide opportunities for teachers to enhance their digital literacy, teaching methodologies, and classroom management skills. Continuous professional development through online resources and training modules empowers educators to deliver high-quality instruction and adapt to changing educational trends.
·?????? Promotion of Lifelong Learning: Digital learning encourages a culture of continuous learning beyond formal schooling. It fosters self-directed learning habits, encourages curiosity, and empowers individuals to pursue knowledge and skill development throughout their lives. ChildFund will join other CSOs to:
??? Strengthen regulatory oversight: Ensure the role of government is identified and enhanced before procurement processes in the future to ensure compliance with quality and compatibility standards.
??? Finalize Minimum Standards: The project will advocate and encourage the ICT Authority of Kenya to finalize the development of the standards of learner digital devices together with teacher digital devices. This will ensure seamless procurement since the guidelines will be accessible to anyone.
??? Advocate for increased localized digital learning content development: Accelerate the development of locally relevant digital content, particularly for upper primary grades, in collaboration with educational and curriculum experts.
??? Improve access and infrastructure: Address disparities in access to technology and connectivity by prioritizing underserved regions and providing the necessary infrastructure support.
??? Engage Stakeholders: Involve a broader range of stakeholders in the procurement and implementation process to ensure the program aligns with the needs and expectations of schools, teachers, and students. Greater stakeholder engagement could help address challenges and improve the program's impact.
??? Benchmark with similar successful Projects by other NGOs within the country
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Conclusion:
As Kenya continues to embrace digital learning as a key enabler of educational transformation, initiatives like ChildFund Kenya's Elimu Kidijitali Project play a crucial role in advancing digital literacy, improving learning outcomes, and empowering future generations. Kenya has made notable strides in advancing digital literacy, but there are still areas that require attention and improvement to ensure sustainable growth and equitable access to digital education for all segments of the population. Addressing the key misses and seizing opportunities will be essential in furthering digital literacy initiatives and empowering individuals with the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world. By investing in innovative projects that leverage technology for education, we can build a more inclusive and equitable educational system that prepares children for success in the digital age. Together, we can create a brighter future for education in Kenya and beyond.
?References:
1.??????? ChildFund Kenya’s Elimu KiDijiTali Project Reports (2024).
2.??????? Government of Kenya. (2019). Digital Literacy Program. Retrieved from https://www.education.go.ke/digital-literacy-program/
3.??????? ChildFund Korea. (2021). Projects. Retrieved downloaded from:
4.??????? ChildFund Kenya. (2021). Impact Stories. Retrieved from
Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Advisor at SYSTEMS Evaluation Limited
10 个月How are we leveraging the vibrant TechSpaces/Community of Practice in the country to lighten load of?'Challenge No 7' with regards to continuously developing learning content for KICD and the digital learning platforms.