Education

Digischool: Lessons in Connecting Kenya’s Schools

Published

9 months ago

February 25, 2024

Kaluka

This article was first published by Huawei Tech 4 All

Equitable access to Internet connectivity is crucial to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG4: “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

A project to learn from

In Kenya, providing sustainable Internet access to all schools is a key part of the government’s drive to integrate ICT into education.

Underpinned by the 9,000-km National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI) and Kenya’s Digital Literacy Programme, the Digischool Internet Connectivity project has so far provided 13 schools with fast, reliable, and stable Internet connectivity, benefiting 6,000 learners.

The project has also provided schools with devices, digital content, and teacher training.

As a partnership between the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy, ICT Authority, UNESCO, and Huawei, the Digischool project has revealed an array of valuable insights, including challenges, best practices, and the implementation process.

Led by the MoE and released in August 2023, the Internet Connectivity to Schools report:

Ascertains how Internet connectivity enhances teaching.
Determines best practices for the scalability and sustainability of Internet connectivity in schools.
Establishes how Internet connectivity strengthens schools’ administrative functions.

3 Keys

Key stats

98% of learners reported that the Internet meets their needs.

Teachers use the Internet for a variety of functions. These include lesson preparation; online lessons and meetings; accessing online training materials; Internet-based teaching in class; uploading learners’ grades to the school system; online quizzes to check learner understanding; and using online content such as videos, animations and games.

84% of learners said that the Internet makes learning more exciting, 71% said it makes complex ideas easier to understand, 54% said it makes learning more engaging, 23% said it makes learning more fun, and 13% said it increases class attendance.

Both male and female learners also reported that the Internet boosts communication and writing skills, self-study, and access to current information.

Schools save US$800 a year by not paying for mobile data bundles.

In addition to mobile data savings, the Internet has significantly reduced administrative costs and transformed school admin tasks.

Key findings

While teachers used the Internet before this project (mostly for admin, sometimes for teaching), low speeds and high costs limited its efficacy.
A lack of devices can reduce the benefits of the Internet if not all classes have online access at any one time.
The Internet boosts not just education quality, but also the education environment and the attitudes of learners and teachers.
As well as the official Kenya Education Cloud, teachers and learners use a variety of online platforms and tools, particularly YouTube and interactive quizzes.
The Internet creates many unplanned benefits such as inter-school support and student access to international competitions.
School admin significantly benefits from online access, especially from communicating with parents.
The savings made from fast and free Internet greatly offset the minor increase in power costs.
School Internet can also benefit parents and local communities, but this could in turn affect Internet speeds for students.
Internet providers must also provide Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) or battery backups and enough Wi-Fi Access Points for full school coverage.
Schools must be supported by rapid local technical support.

Key recommendations

Quickly expand school connectivity to further enhance education quality, accessibility and equity.
Extend training in digital skills and the responsible use of the Internet for teachers, school administrators, learners, and where applicable, parents.
Develop guidelines within schools to regulate the use of the Internet and devices.
Continue to connect schools via NOFBI, as it is both affordable and reliable.
Step up collaboration between stakeholders to rapidly provide sustainable Internet to all schools in a way that minimizes initial connectivity costs and recurring costs, which schools cannot meet.
Promote establishing community Internet hubs to facilitate online access for the community surrounding schools.

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Related Topics:DigiSchool Education featured Huawei Social Impact

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Education

Report Finds that Huawei DigiTruck Training Helps Boost Income, Employment and Entrepreneurship

Published

7 months ago

April 26, 2024

Kaluka

The Kenyan government and Huawei Kenya today launched an independent evaluation report of digital skills training provided by DigiTruck program.

Launched in 2019 in Kenya under Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative, the DigiTruck is a mobile, solar-powered classroom equipped with Internet connectivity, laptops, and smartphones. Converted from a used shipping container mounted on the back of a truck, the DigiTruck travels to remote communities in Kenya, providing free training in digital skills to youth, empowering them to participate more fully in the digital economy.

The report was launched at the Connected Africa Summit by Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, and Huawei Kenya Deputy CEO Steven Zhang. During the opening of the Summit, H.E. President Ruto himself highlighted the findings of the report and praised the program: “This is the impact of a simple intervention in terms of empowering the youth, and it affirms the promise of our collaborative approach and the power of partnerships in achieving ambitious goals.”

“To facilitate optimal uptake of digital infrastructure it is imperative that we have commensurate level of digital skilling; that is why this DigiTruck program comes in handy because through this program we are able to reach very remote areas that ordinarily we would not access for purposes of digital skilling” said Mr. Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communication & The Digital Economy. He continued: “So we want to thank Huawei for this innovative digital skilling program and we want to assure you that we will continue working with you in the program of digital skilling as we roll out our digital transformation agenda.”

Each course lasts 40 hours, and provides training in digital skills and soft skills like starting an online business, writing resumes, and applying for jobs online. A survey 800 of the 4,000+ youth trained over four years revealed significant positive tangible outcomes for beneficiaries. Some of the key findings are:

93% of respondents reported enhanced work capabilities.
79% stated that they passed on their digital skills to others in their communities, fostering a culture of empowerment.
Respondents reported a 6% decline in the unemployment rate and a 7% decline in self-employment.
35% of respondents attribute an income boost due to starting a business with their new digital skills.

“From its inception, the aim of the DigiTruck was to reach remote areas; to reach youth who normally don’t have many opportunities; and to reach all across the country,” said Steven Zhang, Deputy CEO of Huawei Kenya. “The aim of this DigiTruck is not only to provide digital skills, but also to spread the message about the importance of digital skills and to rally others to our cause.”

As Kenya embraces the digital age, the need for digital skills has evolved from a luxury to a necessity.

The DigiTruck initiative, a collaborative effort between The Ministry of Information, Communication & the Digital Economy, Huawei and other partners, has been at the forefront of empowering Kenyan youth with these essential skills.

Attached photos of the launch with CS Owalo along with ICT Ministers from Lesotho, Sahrawi and South Sudan; PS ICT John Tanui along with PSs from Malawi, Sahrawi, South Sudan and Zimbabwe; Chair of the Communications Authority, CEO of the ICT Authority. Accompanying the government officials were Huawei Deputy CEO for Public Affairs, Steven Zhang, MD for Enterprise Business Kevin Wen, Ian Korir, the Huawei DigiTruck Project Manager and youth who have been trained on the DigiTruck.

Also Read: Huawei Offers DigiTruck Robotics Training at Kenya Science and Engineering Fair

Education

Huawei Kenya Hosts Roadshow at Kenyatta University to Promote Seeds for the Future Program

Published

7 months ago

April 20, 2024

Kaluka

Huawei Kenya has held a successful roadshow at Kenyatta University, aimed at promoting its flagship CSR program, The Seeds for the Future. The event held at the University highlighted the return of the program to its traditional physical format after three years of virtual implementation.

The Seeds for the Future program, now in its 10^th year in Kenya, is designed to nurture young ICT talent by providing selected students with a unique opportunity for digital skills learning, an opportunity to engage in global competition termed as the ‘Tech4Good Competition, international learning and cultural exchange. This year’s program offers students the chance to undergo a one-week digital training course in South Africa, as well as additional training opportunities.

In addition to the South Africa trip, selected students will have a one-week training on Huawei certification courses and another one-week local training in Nairobi. These opportunities are aimed at equipping the students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the ICT industry.

Speaking at the event, Ian Korir from Huawei Kenya, highlighted the importance of the program in empowering young Kenyan talent. “Seeds for the Future is not just a training program; it is a life-changing experience for the students. It exposes them to cutting-edge technologies and global best practices, preparing them for successful careers in the ICT industry,” he said.

The roadshow aimed to encourage Kenyatta University students to apply for the program before the deadline on April 30th. However, Huawei Kenya also extends an invitation to other university students to register for the program before the deadline through the following link: Registration Link.

Also Read: Digischool: Lessons in Connecting Kenya’s Schools

Education

Huawei Offers DigiTruck Robotics Training at Kenya Science and Engineering Fair

Published

8 months ago

April 10, 2024

Kaluka

Huawei Technologies Kenya is providing its DigiTruck, a mobile digital classroom that provides access to technology and digital skills training to underserved communities across Africa, for onsite Robotics Training at the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair

As part of the week-long event, the secondary school children will have the opportunity to learn and engage in robotics training inside the DigiTruck, which will be stationed at the fair.

The addition of robotics as a new track this year in the Science and Engineering Fair highlights the growing importance of technology and innovation in education.

“Huawei Kenya is delighted to be a part of this initiative, which aligns with our commitment to enhancing digital learning opportunities for students in Kenya. By bringing robotics training directly to the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair, Huawei Kenya aims to inspire young minds and nurture the next generation of innovators and technology leaders,” Huawei said in a statement.

Huawei Kenya’s support for the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair underscores the company’s commitment to empowering youth through education and technology.

“As the world continues to embrace digital transformation, initiatives like these play a crucial role in preparing the next generation for the challenges and opportunities of the future,” the company said.

The Kenya Science and Engineering Fair is an annual event that showcases innovative projects and ideas from secondary school students across the country. By introducing robotics as a new track, the fair aims to encourage students to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects and pursue careers in these fields.

Also Read: DigiTruck training program to promote digital literacy in Uasin Gishu