Page 7 - EdSource Issue No02

7

Kenya is

probably one of
the best-connected
countries in

Africa and those
areas without
commercially viable

connections will get

special needs education while also highly skilled and talented. They access through the
getting the best out of it. will be able to develop the necessary
technologies to assist in this one- Universal Service
Of course, I hear the voice at roof concept when they get the Fund...
the back of my head questioning right prompts from the education
whether we have the infrastructure sector.
to pull this off. I respond by stating
that every child has the right to Whereas today this article might If learners can access these
basic education. This is enshrined seem far-fetched, it is the realization devices at the schools nearest to
right in our well-established that accessibility issues suffer from them then they would not miss out
constitution. Secondly, almost all the a unique cost challenge that helps on normal growing up by physically
infrastructure needed would be a us to start pushing the proverbial going to far-off specialized
multi-use installation, thus reducing envelope. We must seek to serve all schools. Where the schools invest
the direct cost of providing special the people affected in a high-density in the associated equipment and
education. A school that connects fashion so that we can bring down connectivity, then these would
to the Internet in this arrangement the unit costs in other areas. mean fewer expenses over the
would use the same Internet access long-term with most of it being
for many other functions. Thus, the Digital platforms that leverage used for multiple functions. Overall,
connection to the Internet would be the Internet do this very well. blended learning and e-learning
couched in a bigger budget, not just Combined virtual classes for would deliver education to learners
the special needs education one. learners with identified challenges with accessibility issues in a cost
would mean concentrated costs for structure that compares favorably
Kenya is probably one of distributed benefits. If the classes to that of normal learning while
the best-connected countries in can hold forty students as usual, giving out quality that out-matches
Africa and those areas without then the cost per teacher per learner that by traditional education.
commercially viable connections would be normal. If the teachers
will get access through the Universal can teach from wherever they are Mr. Waithaka is the CEO Elimu
Service Fund. We therefore have a stationed then we would not have Holdings Ltd.
base to build on. Our innovators are increased logistical costs.

EdSource Quarterly | Oct-Dec l 2021