By Phares Mutembe
Kenya is gearing towards deepening the provision of technology-backed learning in both its public and private institutions, as well as playing a more prominent role in increasing the uptake of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the region.
The process of integrating ICT into its education system through e-learning is expected to entrench the country’s position as an ICT hub in the region, with a planned replication of what is happening in Kenya in close to 20 other countries in the region. The region is expected to start implementation of a regional strategy on e-learning, which is to be spearheaded by Kenya.
This follows a recent nomination of Kenya as the COMESA e-Learning hub. The country is expected to coordinate development and implementation of a COMESA-Wide e–Learning program targeting the 19 African countries.
The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has also nominated Kenya as a sub-regional e-Learning Center of excellence for the East and central Africa region. The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment held in South Africa last year saw the ministers adopt a decision on environmental education and technology-supported learning in the continent.
Already a reference point for many countries on the continent due to inroads made in ICT infrastructure development, Kenya has also made milestones in e-Learning development and implementation, in part due to the commitment by the Government to ICTs as an engine for growth.
"Through e-Learning, we will consolidate our position as the ICT hub in Africa, opening opportunities for the growth of the knowledge process outsourcing industry through development of animations labs and other value added e-services," said Mr Andrew Gakiria, the National Coordinator of the Kenya Institute of Education-based Kenya e-Learning centre.
"There is no reason why young Kenyan professionals cannot coach or tutor learners and business people in other parts of Africa and the world online. We are known for our deep pool of specialised knowledge and skills, and these cab be made available to those in need through Knowledge process outsourcing."
The Kenya e-Learning centre (KeLC), an initiative under e-Government to adopt e-learning in the training of civil servants, has been key in growth of e-learning.
It was established in a bid to harmonise and consolidate all Government training programmes under one umbrella. Its is also expected to provide e-Learning infrastructure and training expertise for the Government online training programmes.
One of the biggest beneficiaries so far of the KeLC programmes has been the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), which has established its own environmental e-Learning centre in an initiative to implement the African ministers’ plans for dissemination of environmental education and technology-supported learning.
Nema’s e-Learning centre offers online environmental education for the provincial and district environmental committees and others, with an aim of advancing the state of the country’s environment. The centre also offers education and skills to bolster the stakeholders’ capacity to conserve ecosystems, with emphasis on environmental policies and laws in Kenya.
It is supposed to offer a platform for different organisation expected to incorporate e-learning in their training programmes.
"It makes no economic or business sense for every organisation to have its own e-Learning platform. This can be shared in a Multi-stakeholder e-Learning center, enabling coordination, harmonisation and secure sharing of critical infrastructure and resources," said Gakiria.
Some of the Government’s institutions that have moved towards adoption of e-Learning in their training programs include KWS, KIE, KMTC, KEMRI, University of Nairobi and KIA. Already, the e-learning centre is actively involved in developing e-learning initiatives in the environment sector.
The Centre has a cooperation agreement with InWEnt, German Capacity Building international to offer InWEnt’s e-Learning programs in Africa through a blended approach. Since 2007, a total of 600 technical staff from over 10 African countries have been trained in e-Learning didactics and technology. The same model will be used to roll out the proposed COMESA e-Learning program coordinated by KeLC and partners.
Gakiria however noted that lack of a national policy on e-learning might stand in the way of further developments in embedding ICT in education sector.
"Without a national policy and strategy, it would be impossible to have a working e-Learning program in the country," he said.
