Computers to rescue the blind

By James Ratemo

A survey shows that Kenya, now experiencing a digital revolution, is in need of not only affordable Internet-enabled mobile phones but also affordable personal computers.

Although the Government continues to invest in technology infrastructure like under sea fibre optic cables and zero-rating mobile phones to enhance connectivity, access to affordable personal computers remains limited. This situation has dimmed benefits that come with connectivity.

The most affected are students in slum areas where computers are unaffordable and rural areas, most of which remain outside electricity grid lines.

A study by Computer for Schools Kenya (CFSK) reveals that students who use computers learn more than their counterparts who have no access to these facilities.

"There is constant demand from schools for donated computers. This is not simply because ICT literacy creates employment opportunities, but also because ICT is recognised as an important educational aid in itself," Tom Musili, CFSK Executive Director, said.

Although ICT is never a substitute for teacher-to-pupil interaction, its use aids in student learning, motivation and ultimately determines student achievement across a diverse range of subjects.

"The use of digital content allows teachers to demonstrate difficult concepts in a visual format. Students are able to learn by seeing, rather than hearing," says a report by CFSK on the role of ICT in Education.

"This reduces the time taken by pupils to grasp new material by between 40-60 per cent."

"Children are mesmerised by computers which seem to be able to hold their attention. When this is used effectively in the classroom, ICT can encourage children to not only study the curriculum, but to independently explore beyond it," adds the report.

The report has notes a strong correlation between teachers who have utilised ICT as an educational tool and an increase in student interest and concentration. This was particularly evident in higher grades.

It has also been shown that when ICT is incorporated into traditional teaching methods, students typically retain twice as much information.

New concepts

This is because students can review the material as many times as necessary and progress at their on pace, allowing them to consolidate new concepts as they learn.

The Government efforts to rollout technology infrastructure to schools therefore needs to be marched with an equal zeal in distributing or enhancing acquisition of computers for the learners to benefit fully from the technology and online resources.

Computers are also powerful learning tools for the visually impaired students.

In most Kenyan schools, there are no services available for blind students and 90 per cent of African children who are blind do not go to school at all.

In a project initiated by Sight Savers International, Computer Aid has been working with the Kenya Union of the Blind to provide PCs with assistive technology: software that produces synthesised speech output of the screen contents for blind users and screen magnification and enhancements for visually impaired users.

"These technologies allow blind and visually impaired users to easily access written information such as school textbooks and the Internet.

The project is offering a new level of independence to users, allowing greater mobility and freedom and the chance to take up new opportunities," reads a computer Aid International report.

Changed lives

For long, the debate on whether refurbished computers should find entry into Kenya has been raging but Computer Aid International Assistant Director, African Programmes, Gladys Muhunyo says the majority poor cannot afford new computers hence refurbished ones can suffice.

Speaking in Nairobi when she signed a partnership with Federation of African Women in business in the Comesa region (FEMCOM), Muhunyo said refurbished computers have changed lives of people across the continent since they come free of charge from UK corporate and individual donors.

"Affordable technologies are key in utilising the expanded infrastructure in the region...women and students need ICT empowerment to flourish in trade and education," she said.

Lagging behind

FEMCOM head, Catherine Gichoya said most women and students are lagging behind in due to lack of sufficient information on the existing opportunities and under utilisation of emerging technologies.

Computer Aid and International will now assist the FEMCOM members utilise appropriate technologies to boost their cross-border trade and network with businesswomen in the western countries.

Muhunyo called on the Government to enact policies that guard against e-waste dumping and sensitise Kenyan corporates and citizens to utilise the e-waste recycling centre in Nairobi, which currently remains underutilised.

Run by CFSK, the recycling centre, the biggest in the region has capacity to recycle over 2,000 PCs monthly. Currently, it handles less than 300 PCs per month and is now serving Tanzania and Uganda.

According to Musili, e-waste is not a problem in Kenya if only proper policy and e-waste handling mechanism is put in place.

Currently, such a policy is missing and e-waste often finds way to dumpsites further complicating the solid waste management process, which is yet to be streamlined in Kenya.

E-waste management

Due to inadequate information, most consumers of electronics lump e-wastes with the organic wastes thus complicating the e-waste menace.

Musili says the e-waste recycling centre is already turning plastic parts of computers into fencing posts.

He said CFSK has so far distributed 15,000 computers to schools with its partner Computer Aid International having distributed 160,000 refurbished computers in 135 countries.