Kenya 
report
KENYA
Overview
Kenya has made remarkable progress putting in place an ICT policy framework and implementation strategy, complete with measurable outcomes and time frames. The process has had the benefit of sound advice from officials and stakeholders and, perhaps more importantly, strong leadership from the office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education. However, universal implementation is challenging given the lack of resources, national ICT infrastructure, and even electrical supply - particularly in the rural areas.
Kenya has placed considerable emphasis on the importance of ICT in its Education Sector Support Program, as evidenced in the recent promulgation of the National ICT Strategy for Education and Training. The Ministry of Education has taken steps to support the implementation of the strategy either by direct action or through the various institutions and agencies with which it works. In addition, there are many other organizations not involved directly with the Ministry of Education that continue to be active in implementing and supporting projects involving ICT in education.
Country Profile
Kenya has faced many challenges in its efforts to reform its institutions and processes. However, there has been progress: education reforms have translated into more children in school; the incidence of HIV/AIDS has fallen from 11% to 6.1% over the last five years; and access to better water and sanitation is improving. Further, the country has recorded two years of positive growth (4.3% in 2004 and 5.8% in 2005). Like many developing countries, there is a continuing population shift from rural to urban.
The Education System
Kenya has an 8-4-4 education system. Primary schooling takes eight years, followed by four years of secondary schooling and four years of first degree studies at university. The country introduced universal, free, non-compulsory access to primary education in 2003 that led to an immediate increase of 1.3 million students. This growth has created an accumulating demand for access to secondary education and, predictably, to tertiary education as well.
The tertiary sector includes universities, teacher-training colleges and institutes, and technical training institutions. There are 25 universities: seven are public, 12 are private but have full accreditation or interim approvals, and six are theological institutions recognized by the Higher Education Commission. With the exception of the theological institutions, the universities receive funding from government even though they are autonomous. There are four national polytechnics, 17 institutes of technology, and 20 technical training institutes. Six secondary-level diploma colleges and 20 primary-level training colleges provide teacher training.
Infrastructure
With limited access to electricity and phone lines, few people in Kenya have a computer at home. Radio and television access is much better. On the other hand, mobile phones are commonplace and the number of Internet users is increasing rapidly due to the number of Internet cafés, shops, and access centers that are available, particularly in urban areas. Because English is widely used in Kenya, usage may be affected since most sites on the Internet are in English.
ICTs in Education
Most secondary schools have some computer equipment; however, this could consist of one computer in the office of the school head. Very few secondary schools have sufficient ICT tools for teachers and students. Even in schools that do have computers, the student-computer ratio is 150:1. Most of the schools with ICT infrastructure have acquired it through initiatives supported by parents, the government, NGOs, or other development agencies and the private sector, including the NEPAD
e-Schools program. Attempts to set up basic ICT infrastructure in primary schools are almost negligible.
The core problem is that Kenya lacks adequate connectivity and network infrastructure. Although a small number of schools have direct access to high-speed connectivity through an Internet service provider, generally there is limited penetration of the national physical telecommunication infrastructure into rural and low-income areas. Consequently, there is limited access to dedicated phone lines and high-speed connectivity for e-mail and the Internet. Even where access to high-speed connectivity is possible, high costs remain a barrier to access. As well, very few schools can afford to use VSAT technology. Roughly 10% of secondary schools with computers are able to share teaching resources via a LAN. As a solution to these access problems, the ministry hopes to leverage the
e-government initiative of networking public institutions countrywide to facilitate connectivity for the educational sector.
According to a World Bank Institute survey, the state of ICT infrastructure in African universities can be summed up as “too little, too expensive, and poorly managed.” The survey report goes on to say “the average African university has bandwidth capacity equivalent to a broadband residential connection available in Europe, [and] pays 50 times more for their bandwidth than their educational counterparts in the rest of the world.” Another study carried out for the African Virtual University (AVU) found that while most of the partner institutions either have an ICT policy in place or are developing one, they lack the resources to implement it. This situation may be changing however. In November 2006, Kenya entered into partnership with a global telecommunications service provider, Etisalat, to lay the undersea fiber optic cable, popularly known as the East African Marine Systems, that will connect eastern and Horn of Africa countries to the rest of the world.
Current ICT Initiatives and Projects
Project: The Learning Resource Center
Offers training in educational management and integration of ICT for school managers, lecturers, and students.
· Organization(s): Kenya Technical Teachers College in Nairobi
· Funding source: Flemish Association for Development and Technical Assistance and UNESCO (during the first year)
· For more information: www.vvobkenya.org/sites/LRCVVOB/index.htm
Project: Provision of computers and training
A primary example of the several NGOs with similar goals that collaborate under the Non-Government Organizations Network Initiatives for Computers in Education (NICE), which is an umbrella agency whose members are nongovernmental organizations involved in the introduction and use of ICTs in schools. NICE provides a coordinating and rationalizing function and, through its membership in the Kenya ICT Trust Fund, ensures that the work and needs of its members are known and considered in the Fund's decision-making processes.
· Organization(s): Computers in Schools
· Funding source: Multiple partners and sources (see list on Web site).
· For more information: www.cfsk.org/home.htm
Project: ICT equipment for schools
Computers purchased for 142 schools in support of the ICT in Education Strategy. The Kenya ICT Trust Fund facilitates mobilization of resources to provide ICT to schools and communities and acts with its members as a coordinating body for sharing information about priorities and developments.
· Organization(s): Kenya ICT Trust Fund
· Funding source: Ministry of Education
· For more information: www.education.go.ke/ICTFund.htm
Project: Mukuru ICT Center
ICT skill development for under-privileged youth opened as part of the Mukuru Promotion Centre in Nairobi run by the Sisters of Mercy.
· Organization(s): Corporate consortia led by British Airways
· Funding source: British Airways, Microsoft, Cisco, and others.
· For more information: www.education.go.ke/ICTFORUM/ICT%20in%20Africa%20&%20Mukuru%20-%20Mrs.%20Mary%20Barry.pdf
Project: Development of Learning Content
Digitization of curriculum content for delivery in schools. The Kenya Institute of Education, which has a mandate to prepare syllabuses, publish, and print materials develop digital curriculum content, provide teacher in-service training, prepare distance learning materials, and conduct research on educational matters.
- Organization(s): Kenya Institute of Education (KIE)
· Funding source: Ministry of Education
· For more information: www.kie.go.ke/
Project: Support Centers: Central and regional centers provide immediate solutions on ICT issues to schools via telephone or online inquiries.
· Organization(s): Ministry of Education
· Funding source: Microsoft and the ICT Trust Fund
· For more information: www.education.go.ke/Speeches/MN_ICT_Strategy_2August2006.html
Project: Sponsored Schools
The introduction of computers and distance learning to supplement teaching and improve learning methods in Aga Khan schools in Kenya.
· Organization(s): Aga Khan Education Services
· Funding source: Aga Khan Foundation
· For more information: Aga Khan Foundation's education activities,
Project: Internet cafés
More than 400 Internet cafés have been opened in urban and rural areas where there is electricity.
· Organization(s): Telecom Kenya
· Funding source: Telecom Kenya
· For more information: Dr. Speranza Ndege,
Project: NEPAD e-Schools Initiative
Multi-partner demo project that equipped six secondary schools with state-of-the-art ICTs and provided teacher training and learning content.
· Organization(s): e-Africa Commission, Ministry of Education, and two consortia led by Oracle and Microsoft
· Funding source: Oracle, Microsoft, and the Ministry of Education
· For more information: www.eafricacommission.org/docs/NEPAD%20e-SCHOOLS%20DEMO%20OVERVIEW.pdf
Project: Agricultural Non-formal Education
A farmers' resource centre in Mwingi district that functions as a community information supermarket is equipped with a computer, a WorldSpace radio, a digital data adapter, a printer, a mobile phone, and several informational CDs.
· Organization(s): Arid Lands Information Network-Eastern Africa (NGO) and the
Ministry of Agriculture
· Funding source: FORD Foundation, NOVIB, DFID, and OXFAM-GB
· For more information: www.alin.or.ke/about/who.asp
Project: Computer Skill Development
A free e-learning program in computer skills for youth living in the slum areas of Nairobi.
· Organization(s): Nairobits, an NGO run by local staff
· Funding source: Dutch and Irish computer experts
· For more information: www.developments.org.uk/data/Issue22/e-for-education.htm
Project: KENET Initiative
An initiative that will establish permanent high-speed Internet infrastructure in 22 institutions in the next 12 months; establish or improve node infrastructure within each strategic institution; connect 30 tertiary institutions to the backbone within two years; and expand to 600 secondary and primary schools within two years. KENET members benefit by receiving substantially lower connectivity costs, as well as having access to technical support and staff training.
· Organization(s): KENET
· Funding source: Ministry of Education, ICT Trust Fund
· For more information: www.kenet.or.ke/about/index.php?yah=mission&yeh=objectives
Project: Crossing Borders - East, West, Southern Africa and Central Africa
A cross-cultural distance-learning scheme linking young African writers to experienced UK mentors.
· Organization(s): Lancaster University
· Funding source: British Council
· For more information: www.crossingborders-africanwriting.org/about/
Project: School Broadcasting
After a successful one-year pilot, there is now a plan to revive
Kenya's nationwide school broadcast service, using WorldSpace technology to broadcast educational content to 11 million students in 18,000 primary and 3,000 secondary schools by the end of 2006. The KIE develops and transmits programs via mass media to support educational development
· Organization(s): Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) and WorldSpace
· Funding source: WorldSpace Incorporated
· For more information: www.itu.int/partners/project.asp?lang=en&id=58
Project: The AVOIR Project: A collaboration among 14 universities to produce educational software while at the same time building software design, development, and support capacity in the higher education sector.
· Organization(s): University of Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
· Funding source: IDRC, Department of Science and Technology (South Africa), UNESCO, Carnegie Corporation, USAID, Sun Microsystems, International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange
Project: Free Software Licenses
Microsoft Corporation is providing free access to its operating software for schools and higher education institutions in order to reduce the cost of buying and using computers. The company will work with the organizations involved in supplying computers to the institutions to install the software on the machines.
· Organization(s): Microsoft and the Ministry of Education
· Funding Source: Microsoft
· For more information: ICT Director, Ministry of Education, Kenya
profile
KENYA
Overview
Kenya has made remarkable progress putting in place an ICT policy framework and implementation strategy, complete with measurable outcomes and time frames. The process has had the benefit of sound advice from officials and stakeholders and, perhaps more importantly, strong leadership from the office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education. However, universal implementation is challenging given the lack of resources, national ICT infrastructure, and even electrical supply - particularly in the rural areas.
Kenya has placed considerable emphasis on the importance of ICT in its Education Sector Support Program, as evidenced in the recent promulgation of the National ICT Strategy for Education and Training. The Ministry of Education has taken steps to support the implementation of the strategy either by direct action or through the various institutions and agencies with which it works. In addition, there are many other organizations not involved directly with the Ministry of Education that continue to be active in implementing and supporting projects involving ICT in education.
Country Profile
Kenya has faced many challenges in its efforts to reform its institutions and processes. However, there has been progress: education reforms have translated into more children in school; the incidence of HIV/AIDS has fallen from 11% to 6.1% over the last five years; and access to better water and sanitation is improving. Further, the country has recorded two years of positive growth (4.3% in 2004 and 5.8% in 2005). Like many developing countries, there is a continuing population shift from rural to urban.
The Education System
Kenya has an 8-4-4 education system. Primary schooling takes eight years, followed by four years of secondary schooling and four years of first degree studies at university. The country introduced universal, free, non-compulsory access to primary education in 2003 that led to an immediate increase of 1.3 million students. This growth has created an accumulating demand for access to secondary education and, predictably, to tertiary education as well.
The tertiary sector includes universities, teacher-training colleges and institutes, and technical training institutions. There are 25 universities: seven are public, 12 are private but have full accreditation or interim approvals, and six are theological institutions recognized by the Higher Education Commission. With the exception of the theological institutions, the universities receive funding from government even though they are autonomous. There are four national polytechnics, 17 institutes of technology, and 20 technical training institutes. Six secondary-level diploma colleges and 20 primary-level training colleges provide teacher training.
Infrastructure
With limited access to electricity and phone lines, few people in Kenya have a computer at home. Radio and television access is much better. On the other hand, mobile phones are commonplace and the number of Internet users is increasing rapidly due to the number of Internet cafés, shops, and access centers that are available, particularly in urban areas. Because English is widely used in Kenya, usage may be affected since most sites on the Internet are in English.
ICTs in Education
Most secondary schools have some computer equipment; however, this could consist of one computer in the office of the school head. Very few secondary schools have sufficient ICT tools for teachers and students. Even in schools that do have computers, the student-computer ratio is 150:1. Most of the schools with ICT infrastructure have acquired it through initiatives supported by parents, the government, NGOs, or other development agencies and the private sector, including the NEPAD
e-Schools program. Attempts to set up basic ICT infrastructure in primary schools are almost negligible.
The core problem is that Kenya lacks adequate connectivity and network infrastructure. Although a small number of schools have direct access to high-speed connectivity through an Internet service provider, generally there is limited penetration of the national physical telecommunication infrastructure into rural and low-income areas. Consequently, there is limited access to dedicated phone lines and high-speed connectivity for e-mail and the Internet. Even where access to high-speed connectivity is possible, high costs remain a barrier to access. As well, very few schools can afford to use VSAT technology. Roughly 10% of secondary schools with computers are able to share teaching resources via a LAN. As a solution to these access problems, the ministry hopes to leverage the
e-government initiative of networking public institutions countrywide to facilitate connectivity for the educational sector.
According to a World Bank Institute survey, the state of ICT infrastructure in African universities can be summed up as “too little, too expensive, and poorly managed.” The survey report goes on to say “the average African university has bandwidth capacity equivalent to a broadband residential connection available in Europe, [and] pays 50 times more for their bandwidth than their educational counterparts in the rest of the world.” Another study carried out for the African Virtual University (AVU) found that while most of the partner institutions either have an ICT policy in place or are developing one, they lack the resources to implement it. This situation may be changing however. In November 2006, Kenya entered into partnership with a global telecommunications service provider, Etisalat, to lay the undersea fiber optic cable, popularly known as the East African Marine Systems, that will connect eastern and Horn of Africa countries to the rest of the world.
Current ICT Initiatives and Projects
|
Project: The Learning Resource Center Offers training in educational management and integration of ICT for school managers, lecturers, and students. · Organization(s): Kenya Technical Teachers College in Nairobi · Funding source: Flemish Association for Development and Technical Assistance and UNESCO (during the first year) · For more information: www.vvobkenya.org/sites/LRCVVOB/index.htm |
|
Project: Provision of computers and training A primary example of the several NGOs with similar goals that collaborate under the Non-Government Organizations Network Initiatives for Computers in Education (NICE), which is an umbrella agency whose members are nongovernmental organizations involved in the introduction and use of ICTs in schools. NICE provides a coordinating and rationalizing function and, through its membership in the Kenya ICT Trust Fund, ensures that the work and needs of its members are known and considered in the Fund's decision-making processes. · Organization(s): Computers in Schools · Funding source: Multiple partners and sources (see list on Web site). · For more information: www.cfsk.org/home.htm |
|
Project: ICT equipment for schools Computers purchased for 142 schools in support of the ICT in Education Strategy. The Kenya ICT Trust Fund facilitates mobilization of resources to provide ICT to schools and communities and acts with its members as a coordinating body for sharing information about priorities and developments. · Organization(s): Kenya ICT Trust Fund · Funding source: Ministry of Education · For more information: www.education.go.ke/ICTFund.htm |
|
Project: Mukuru ICT Center ICT skill development for under-privileged youth opened as part of the Mukuru Promotion Centre in Nairobi run by the Sisters of Mercy. · Organization(s): Corporate consortia led by British Airways · Funding source: British Airways, Microsoft, Cisco, and others. · For more information: www.education.go.ke/ICTFORUM/ICT%20in%20Africa%20&%20Mukuru%20-%20Mrs.%20Mary%20Barry.pdf |
|
Project: Development of Learning Content Digitization of curriculum content for delivery in schools. The Kenya Institute of Education, which has a mandate to prepare syllabuses, publish, and print materials develop digital curriculum content, provide teacher in-service training, prepare distance learning materials, and conduct research on educational matters.
· Funding source: Ministry of Education · For more information: www.kie.go.ke/ |
|
Project: Support Centers: Central and regional centers provide immediate solutions on ICT issues to schools via telephone or online inquiries. · Organization(s): Ministry of Education · Funding source: Microsoft and the ICT Trust Fund · For more information: www.education.go.ke/Speeches/MN_ICT_Strategy_2August2006.html |
|
Project: Sponsored Schools The introduction of computers and distance learning to supplement teaching and improve learning methods in Aga Khan schools in Kenya. · Organization(s): Aga Khan Education Services · Funding source: Aga Khan Foundation · For more information: Aga Khan Foundation's education activities, |
|
Project: Internet cafés More than 400 Internet cafés have been opened in urban and rural areas where there is electricity. · Organization(s): Telecom Kenya · Funding source: Telecom Kenya · For more information: Dr. Speranza Ndege, |
|
Project: NEPAD e-Schools Initiative Multi-partner demo project that equipped six secondary schools with state-of-the-art ICTs and provided teacher training and learning content. · Organization(s): e-Africa Commission, Ministry of Education, and two consortia led by Oracle and Microsoft · Funding source: Oracle, Microsoft, and the Ministry of Education · For more information: www.eafricacommission.org/docs/NEPAD%20e-SCHOOLS%20DEMO%20OVERVIEW.pdf |
|
Project: Agricultural Non-formal Education A farmers' resource centre in Mwingi district that functions as a community information supermarket is equipped with a computer, a WorldSpace radio, a digital data adapter, a printer, a mobile phone, and several informational CDs. · Organization(s): Arid Lands Information Network-Eastern Africa (NGO) and the Ministry of Agriculture · Funding source: FORD Foundation, NOVIB, DFID, and OXFAM-GB · For more information: www.alin.or.ke/about/who.asp |
|
Project: Computer Skill Development A free e-learning program in computer skills for youth living in the slum areas of Nairobi. · Organization(s): Nairobits, an NGO run by local staff · Funding source: Dutch and Irish computer experts · For more information: www.developments.org.uk/data/Issue22/e-for-education.htm |
|
Project: KENET Initiative An initiative that will establish permanent high-speed Internet infrastructure in 22 institutions in the next 12 months; establish or improve node infrastructure within each strategic institution; connect 30 tertiary institutions to the backbone within two years; and expand to 600 secondary and primary schools within two years. KENET members benefit by receiving substantially lower connectivity costs, as well as having access to technical support and staff training. · Organization(s): KENET · Funding source: Ministry of Education, ICT Trust Fund · For more information: www.kenet.or.ke/about/index.php?yah=mission&yeh=objectives |
|
Project: Crossing Borders - East, West, Southern Africa and Central Africa A cross-cultural distance-learning scheme linking young African writers to experienced UK mentors. · Organization(s): Lancaster University · Funding source: British Council · For more information: www.crossingborders-africanwriting.org/about/ |
|
Project: School Broadcasting After a successful one-year pilot, there is now a plan to revive Kenya's nationwide school broadcast service, using WorldSpace technology to broadcast educational content to 11 million students in 18,000 primary and 3,000 secondary schools by the end of 2006. The KIE develops and transmits programs via mass media to support educational development · Organization(s): Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) and WorldSpace · Funding source: WorldSpace Incorporated · For more information: www.itu.int/partners/project.asp?lang=en&id=58 |
|
Project: The AVOIR Project: A collaboration among 14 universities to produce educational software while at the same time building software design, development, and support capacity in the higher education sector. · Organization(s): University of Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology · Funding source: IDRC, Department of Science and Technology (South Africa), UNESCO, Carnegie Corporation, USAID, Sun Microsystems, International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange |
|
Project: Free Software Licenses Microsoft Corporation is providing free access to its operating software for schools and higher education institutions in order to reduce the cost of buying and using computers. The company will work with the organizations involved in supplying computers to the institutions to install the software on the machines. · Organization(s): Microsoft and the Ministry of Education · Funding Source: Microsoft · For more information: ICT Director, Ministry of Education, Kenya |
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