Digital learning key to Kenya's future

Education in Kenya is currently going through its most revolutionary period since the inception of Free Primary Education in 2003.

Technology and the internet are now powering this revolution, changing education in ways we had never imagined. We can now teach a class anywhere in the world and students can learn in and out of class, consuming content in a variety of forms.

As educators, parents, students and engaged citizens, we must ensure that as digital education comes to Africa, it does so in the most relevant and impactful way possible. This is why Kenyatta University and BRCK decided to partner to design and deploy a holistic digital learning solution.

We believe that with a dose of Kenyan ingenuity and know-how, technology and connectivity will give us the ability to ensure no child gets left behind in the 21st century. By providing access to the best content, the best teachers and a whole world of knowledge and discovery, we will equip our students today to be global leaders tomorrow.

Much of the conversation around digital education has been around the learning devices themselves which is only natural as they are the most visible and tangible part of digital learning.

However, devices while highly important are part of a larger digital education ecosystem. It is only if we build a working digital education ecosystem that optimal value from such a programme can be derived.

In order to build a viable digital education system, we must ensure that we deal with the other key aspects of digital education as well, most importantly: that teachers must be properly trained and comfortable with meaningful integration of ICT into their classes; that content is rich, engaging and culturally relevant; that feedback from learners is incorporated into future updates; that adequate systems are in place to support this ecosystem.

It is because of this that Kenyatta University has partnered with BRCK, so that together we can create an ecosystem for digital learning. In it, we shall design the technology, train teachers and create content that will ensure a thriving digital education ecosystem. We are thinking beyond the devices and focusing on the teachers and students and taking on board their input.

Digital learning affords Kenya an immutable opportunity to kick-start its manufacturing sector. As the recent global entrepreneurship summit revealed, Kenya has the talent and ingenuity to design its own solutions. This is precisely what BRCK is; a Kenyan bred solution to the unique connectivity challenges that we encounter.

As we confront the challenges of preparing future generations for the 21st century, we must ensure that the solutions are suited for local needs. Designing, manufacturing and assembling the technology for our digital education solution will allow us to do that.

Part of the partnership between BRCK and Kenyatta University is to develop these facilities. Kenyatta University has the capabilities to host and support the manufacture of technology products and also has the capacity to scale up delivery to schools around the continent.

With hard-working staff and students, Kenyatta University has a reservoir that is untapped and that's why its partnership with BRCK is meant to reinvigorate local manufacturing and technology commercialisation. These capabilities are also enhanced by a visionary management that goes the extra mile to ensure that programmes are implemented on time.

In doing so, we shall put in place the supply chains and processes necessary for any manufacturing industry that have in large part been absent from Kenya. In many ways, we will be able to educate the manufacturing sector, building knowledge and the skills; this kind of capacity is necessary for the creation of Kenya's very own IT manufacturing sector.