Airtel eyes youth in Internet roll-out
What you need to know:
- In the Internet for schools project, Airtel targets learning institutions that cannot afford the cost of connection. The Internet link is aimed at enabling the schools to access the vast online educational content.
- Airtel project comes at a time when the government is rolling out a digital programme that focuses on online educational content rated by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
- Other technology firms are increasingly playing a role in education by providing services to schools.
Airtel Kenya plans to expand its community flagship programme ‘Internet for schools’ to youth groups countrywide in a bid to increase uptake of its data bundles.
The project, which takes up 80 per cent of Airtel corporate social responsibility’s Sh20 million budget, has connected 130 schools to the Internet.
“We plan to partner with Global Peace Foundation in its Leap Hubs project that concentrates on Internet for schools, in the partnership we will focus on youth groups, provide Internet for them and train them on how to use it,” said Airtel Kenya chief executive officer Adil El Youssefi.
In the Internet for schools project, Airtel targets learning institutions that cannot afford the cost of connection. The Internet link is aimed at enabling the schools to access the vast online educational content.
More than 250,000 students are currently benefiting from the resources. Airtel targets 200,000 more learners by December.
Already, Kilimani Primary School and Westlands Primary School, in Nairobi, Crater Primary School in Nakuru, Chogoria Girls Boarding School and Nyamira Boys High School have been connected to the Internet.
The project supplements what Airtel Kenya began in 2013 with the help of British Council in a Sh5.9 billion (£43 million) deal that aims at developing 127 digital centres in nine countries in sub-Sahara Africa.
E-LEARNING APPS
“We provide teachers with high-quality, cost-effective, professional development opportunities. Our digital ambassadors are now implementing ICT and innovative teaching practice in classrooms across the continent,” said Tony Reilly, British Council country director for Kenya during the launch of the plan dubbed Badiliko Project.
The deal provides schools with monthly data bundles of up to 5GB, assisting learners access e-learning apps through computers and tablets.
The digital hubs also act as ICT centres serving both students and the surrounding communities. The project is expected to bridge the technology gap between rural and urban schools.
“It is about making dreams come alive for hundreds of thousands of school-going children by ensuring that they have the freedom to connect to the world of information, helping them to learn better and open up a new world of opportunities for their future,” said Airtel Kenya Director of Corporate Affairs Dick Omondi.
Airtel project comes at a time when the government is rolling out a digital programme that focuses on online educational content rated by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
CHANGE EDUCATION
“A time will come when parents’ meetings will be conducted online,” said ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who lauded the plan by the private sector to enhance education.
Other technology firms are increasingly playing a role in education by providing services to schools.
Safaricom has set up an e-learning management platform — Safaricom Blackboard — at Starehe School.
Handset maker Nokia provides a mobile-based education app in 10 Kenyan schools to aid in the teaching of sciences, especially mathematics.
Korean firm Samsung has connected schools to solar-powered Internet and provided e-boards.
Chip maker Intel through its Intel Explore and Learn software also provides interactive digital learning content to schools. The content is approved and uploaded by the KICD.
