Kenya is considered technologically advanced in the region with inventions such as the country’s flagship, the money transfer innovation MPESA.  Having a structured digital transformation strategy for education is necessary to make it possible to mainstream such innovations.

At this point, the country has not been able to do this and this was clear when the COVID 19 pandemic exposed challenges in digital learning which demonstrated the lack of preparedness to deal with such a crisis. This led to loss in learning time because physical learning was not possible following total lockdown and closure of education institutions.

During this period, up to 80% of students stayed home as learning was disrupted in almost all institutions. Lack of a digital learning program and policy contributed to the disruption. The challenge here included issues such as lack of digital content, devices, inadequate internet connectivity, inadequate infrastructure, teacher up-skilling and in some areas even access to electricity was a hindrance.  In as much as international schools and some private schools were able to adapt quickly and pick up e learning to avoid complete loss of learning exposed the inequalities in our education system where some private schools and all public schools were not able to offer the same.

What this means is that there is need for sustained efforts to engage in advocating for an e learning policy therefore giving an opportunity for Education technology start-ups, corporates and the government to address the gaps and leverage on existing solutions in the industry to create a structured e learning framework. Education technology start- ups for instance were instrumental in providing content, devices and apps at affordable prices to schools and parents to keep students engaged during the school closures. 

The EDsource Platform provides opportunities to showcase and discuss digital trends and how ICT product and service providers are meeting learning and teaching needs.