kenya

 

In the last decade Kenyan formal education went through various structural reforms that brought rapid progress in terms of accessibility but many challenges, such as pupil-teacher ratio, remained or even intensified. The introduction of free primary education in 2003 and free day secondary education in 2008 translated into major enrolment improvement. Until 2005 the university admission was pegged at the bed capacity available in all of the Kenyan universities. Therefore, though the minimum university entry grade on paper was C+, only those who scored B and above accessed university education, which meant only a transition rate of 3 percent into the university level from the secondary schools. Today, parallel and school –based programs have expanded access to the university education to about 15 percent transition rate.

Kenya is good in technology

Abolishing the so-called digital divide is one of the top priorities of Kenyan government set forth in their Vision 2030 strategy. Until recently universities were the place where students experienced their first contact with computers. Therefore despite the striking success of various mobile-based technologies such as m-banking, where Kenya is a leader and a great innovator, majority of its young population remains digitally illiterate and thus with a bleak job prospects. Digitalization of schools has a potential to replace the lack of study materials and soften the effect of high pupil-teacher ratio. Computers and digital content make studying more visual and the interactive features allow for a higher engagement in classroom. ICT-trained teachers and school administrators provide more effective services and deliver better quality education which in turn means higher chances for graduates to land a formal job in the services-oriented Kenyan economy. Pontis Foundation aims to provide exactly that - an ICT equipment and training to secondary school teachers in Voi District and connect Slovak and Kenyan high schools in digital collaboration focused on project-based learning and practical cooperation with local communities.    

The Pontis Foundation capitalizes on its past experience working in Slovakia with the corporate sector on supporting utilization of ICT skills in education process. Successful program of Microsoft Slovakia Innovative Teacher, that was also awarded the Via Bona Award 2008, served as a model for the now completed project Slovak cooperation in IT education at Schools in Kenya in the Kasigau Area, where in a great partnership with the Youth for Conservation we teamed up to provide ICT equipment and training to two neighboring schools in Rukanga village. The current project named Slovak-Kenyan Cooperation for Modern Schools is a follow-up targeting four schools in Voi District with an aim to provide digital technology, training of teachers, study exchange trips of teachers and starting a project-based learning where students help local communities utilizing their newly attained ICT skills.

For better job opportunities

Digital technologies with internet access will help 700 pupils of 4 Kenyan high schools to gain computer skills and improve the access to information and stimulate the cooperation of Slovak and Kenyan teachers also within the extra- curricular activities. By the means of project-based education focused on concrete solutions for support of local community, Slovak pupils will cooperate online with their Kenyan peers in their joint projects. At the end of the project, Kenyan schools in the Voi district will enhance their administration management and improve the content of education. The gained information and skills of pupils will enable them to apply for better job opportunities.

The employment of young people of the region is sustainable alternative to uprooting of local natural resources, poaching and it is prevention of moving of young people to city slums. Slovak experts, teachers and pupils will establish their ties with Kenya and the new attained knowledge and contacts through this project will also help to reduce misplaced prejudices about Africa and will draw attention of its potential in various areas to Slovak pubic. As there is a great potential for development of local tourism in the Kasigau Area, which borders on the Tsavo National Park, trained and skilled young people will be able to utilize these skills immediately in the area of their closest communities. Additionally, they will have a chance to learn how to conduct online search for other job opportunities.

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The project Slovak-Kenyan Cooperation for Modern Schools is supported by Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation (Slovak Aid) from the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs resources.

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