More Kenyan schools are now connected to technological learning with the launch of the second phase of the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), commonly known as DigiSchool, which aims to transform teaching and learning by integrating technology into the educational environment.
The latest phase, which connects 21 schools, was jointly unveiled by Huawei, UNESCO, the Ministries of ICT and Education, the ICT Authority, Konza Technologies, and Kenya Power. Launched at the Machakos School for the Deaf, the initiative also included the Kenya Institute of Special Education, benefiting six special needs schools.
According to Huawei Kenya, digital inclusion is the future of education, and this latest milestone reaffirms the company’s commitment to education for all. Huawei Kenya Deputy Chief Executive Officer Steven Zhang remarked that technological learning has the potential to enhance educational standards and contribute to the country’s sustainable development.
“The Huawei Tech4All initiative aims to enable an inclusive and stable digital world. The DigiSchool project is a perfect example,” he stated.
“Once schools have internet access, there is a lot they can achieve. We want to enhance the services available to them online, especially with advancements in technologies like Artificial Intelligence. These solutions are improving the efficiency of education management,” he added.
During the launch, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for ICT & Digital Economy, John Tonui, described the initiative as a bold step towards ensuring that every learner, including those in special needs schools, has access to digital opportunities.
“The DigiSchool programme is not just about connecting schools to the internet; it is about empowering students with skills for the future, bridging the digital divide, and fostering inclusive education,” he said.
“As a government, we remain committed to expanding digital infrastructure to ensure that no child is left behind in this digital revolution,” he added.
Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority, highlighted that the initiative goes beyond simply providing internet connectivity; it is about “empowering students, transforming learning, and ensuring inclusivity, particularly for special needs schools.”
Kamanguya reaffirmed the commitment to a future where every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality digital education.
Ms. Bernice Matheka, Head Teacher at Machakos School for the Deaf, stated that the launch marks a new dawn for the school and many others across Kenya. With the DigiSchool programme, she noted that students now have access to endless learning opportunities through technology.
“This connectivity will transform how we teach and how our students learn, ensuring that no child is left behind in the digital era,” said Ms. Matheka.
Mr. Mamadou Lamine Sow, Chief of Education and Senior Programme Specialist at UNESCO, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to inclusive and equitable education, emphasising that digital access is a fundamental right for all learners, including those in special needs schools.
The DigiSchool project, a partnership between Huawei, UNESCO, and the Kenyan government, aims to connect schools to the internet, transforming teaching and learning through the integration of technology into the educational environment.
Phase 1 of the programme saw a total of 13 schools connected to the internet under Kenya’s National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI). This latest launch increases the total to 34.
Over three years since the start of the initiative, teachers and learners have reported overwhelmingly positive benefits of internet connectivity on the quality and inclusivity of education in the selected beneficiary schools.