Edtech East Africa

Tag: Collective Action Goal 3

  • Call for Technology inclusion in schools during the 2024 Pwani EdTech Summit

    Call for Technology inclusion in schools during the 2024 Pwani EdTech Summit

    By Aura Ruth

    As the world evolves, everything is taking on a new shape, with digital space taking over in all sectors and introducing new technologies.

    Kenya is one of the countries that is quickly evolving and ensuring that it is not left behind by introducing digital working spaces not only in offices but also in schools. The introduction of the CBC was one of the new technologies that were introduced in learning institutes, especially in public schools. 

    Today, EdTech community experts are working towards promoting digital literacy in schools in Kenya and ensuring that learners, teachers, and parents are introduced to and made aware of the importance of technology in schools.

    Despite the efforts by governments, the EdTech community, and other stakeholders to ensure that there is inclusivity of technology among learners, there is still a gap when it comes to learners with disabilities who have been left out, especially those who are mentally handicapped.

    The Action Foundation head of programs, Stephen Ikonya, noted that Kenya has a big gap in inclusion and that women, girls, and children with disabilities have always been left out of technology programs.

    Schools are also struggling to get resources that can enable digital literacy learning in their institutions because it is expensive and hard to maintain.

    The language barrier among learners, teachers, and illiterate parents is still a challenge that needs to be addressed. Teachers cannot also contextualize the content to ensure inclusion in classrooms.

    Philip Okidi, a teacher at Pwani Secondary School for the Deaf, said that schools and educational institutions should prioritize accessibility and diversity in STEM. He called upon all stakeholders to ensure that girls are not denied the opportunity to access their rights to go to school because most parents do not allow them to attend school. He said that learners with disabilities should also be given postsecondary digital support just to ensure that they do not sit home idle.

    The government and key stakeholders were called upon to ensure that teachers are retooled to enable inclusivity.

    The national government, through the Ministry of Education, has also come out to support the initiative of digital literacy in schools by providing training to teachers.

    Dr. Robert Juma Wamalwa, a member of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, stated during the 2024 Pwani EdTech Summit that the government and its agencies have started a journey that goes beyond the bounds of conventional education thanks to the winds of technological innovation.

    In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, he said that the interception of education and technology has become the cycle of progress shaping the way children learn, how they are taught, and ultimately the future of society. 

    Dr. Wamalwa said that there is a need for the EdTech community, the government, and other stakeholders to reflect on the power of collaboration and imagination because the digital era has presented opportunities to enhance the learning experience, breaking down barriers and creating a conducive environment for learners around the globe.

    The 2024 Pwani summit took place in Mombasa at the Close the Gap Hub. Jecinter Nduta, manager at Close the Gap Hub, a tech incubation hub where the 2024 Pwani summit took place, said that Close the Gap, a Belgium company, was brought to Mombasa to make it more inclusive for Mombasa people because there was huge innovation potential. 

    Changing the Norm

    EdTech East Africa, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, is working closely with East African countries to ensure that learners are introduced to digital literacy.

    It is a network that began 10 years ago to bring EdTech communities together in Kenya with a focus on three goals, coordination, transparency, and action. It has since grown to an EdTech East Africa community of over 4000 individuals. 

    Dr. Wamalwa said that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of ICT are working together with EdTech East Africa, which plays a very crucial role in delivering technology by developing ICT infrastructure for curriculum delivery and assessment to improve digital literacy among teachers’ parents and other key stakeholders. “EdTech also has a role to play in ensuring that there are enhanced accelerated education programs for marginalized learners and learners with special needs.” Dr. Robert Juma Wamalwa.

    The EdTech East Africa chief executive officer and Kenya Co-Lead at EdTech Hub, Jeniffer Cotter-Otieno, said in her remarks that the organization aims to bring communities together to create relationships and forge the way forward. “Pwani EdTech Summit is about something bigger than any individual or organization; this is about us coming together. As individuals, we cannot change EdTech in Kenya, but together, it is possible, and we have the opportunity to use technology to make that transformation happen,” said Jennifer.

    “We all believe that, as partners, it is important to use evidence as our common language for what allows us to make the most informed decision about how we use technology in teaching and learning. We have the responsibility of transforming the education sector in Kenya, and together, we can make that transformation,” she noted.

    The CEO noted that EdTech East Africa has an agenda of helping African governments close the gaps that exist in the education sector. They are working towards having evidence-based technology by enabling teaching and learning in schools.

    Evidence-based Tech

    On her part, EdTech Hub executive director Verna Lalberharie noted that the EdTech Hub is a global research partnership and has a role to focus on and make sure that decision-makers, regardless of where they sit in the digital ecosystem, have access to vigorous evidence and a lot of work in regards to technology and education.

    She noted that there is a need for critical evidence that will guide developers in providing tech solutions. “There is still limited evidence on the work in low-income countries in regards to technology, so how do we as developers or policymakers handle enthusiasm, including teachers as co-creators? Their role is very essential. Parental engagement is a very critical component because children who grow up in low-literacy environments where parents lack education resources, capacity, and connections in schools that need to support the development of children’s education; therefore, we need to partner with schools to ensure that we make this happen,” Verna Lalberharie noted.

    She noted that measuring learners’ experiences is critical, adding that there is still a gap in the social and emotional learning of children and their mental and physical status. Her call to action to the government, EdTech community, and other stakeholders was that as they work on EdTech solutions, they need to take into consideration how they consider the children.

    Innovation Manager East Africa, Brink Kenya, and Co-Lead EdTech Hub, Ciku Mbugua, said that they want to generate and continuously use evidence to improve and upscale in sub-Saharan Africa.

    She said that EdTech Hub has a new project called Ubora Bora, which is expected to be launched on February 27, 2024, under the partnership of the Gates Foundation, who are the funders.

    The new project will help enable continuous improvement and remind the education system to use evidence.

    “EdTech is already doing upscale and long-term research, but we want to do speed implementation research; we want to help unlock certain things in the implementation journey. We have to work with the government and provide solutions for government productivity,” Ciku Mbugua said.

    She noted that system integration goes hand in hand with scale and that the strength of evidence needs to work with the goal. The new project will fund the governments, but the partners will work with the governments.

    EdTech East Africa Collective Action Lead Joan Mwachi said that evidence is key, and they cannot talk about what works if they don’t talk about what works. This is because with technology, it is easy to talk about it, but those who are not in technology need evidence to believe that it works.

    “We are in the process of making adaptive change consumable; we are in the era of making AI; we are now talking about intersections in education and AI: AI for learning and AI for teaching. 

    How are we adapting to these things? How are we preparing our teachers, what are our policies saying, and how do we use the platform of foundational learning to address skills for the future? It is all connected in one way or another, and each one of us has a role to play in that space,” said Joan Mwachi.

    The key areas include a common agenda where they want to use technology to close the gap and shared measurement systems, and this entails mutually reinforcing activities. She said that if the EdTech community works together collectively, they will make a change that will work.

    Another key to the collaborative effort is continuous communication. Joan said that the community platform is what EdTech has for people. On the backbone support, she noted that their role as an organization is to try and bring everyone together and coordinate the efforts of the community. 

    “Edtech is a catalyst; the members sit on the table of reforms because they work in one voice. What we are doing is embedded in the Ministry of Education’s vision to support teachers to have the required skills. We have partners who are working to ensure that we have co-facilitators in all areas, identifying skills that are needed in the future, and who are working towards producing technology that ensures equity and inclusion,” Joan Mwachi noted.

    Call to Action

    To strengthen the use of technology in schools beyond the connectivity infrastructures that can be used, the government and key stakeholders were also called upon to ensure that teachers are given access to the devices, especially by the school heads and the Ministry of Education.

    Stakeholders were called upon to also ensure that young people are involved in this technology implementation in schools because they are more likely to embrace and adapt technology than the teachers.

    The government was also urged to come up with evidence-driven policies that will make technology yield in schools.

    “It is very important to start working with teachers and not for teachers; let them contribute to the making and validation of solutions.” William is an EdTech community member.

    The representative of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, Dr. Robert Juma Wamalwa, said that the Ministry of Education has support from the Ministry of ICT in the implementation of technology in schools because it cannot make it on its own.

    “The Ministry of Education on its own cannot make it; it needs an extra hand and support in achieving the goals towards introducing technology to learners, and that is why EdTech East Africa plays a very crucial role in this to leverage technology at all levels of education by defaulting on ICT infrastructure for curriculum delivery and assessment to improve digital literacy among teachers, parents, and other key stakeholders,” Robert Wamalwa noted.

    He said that the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms recommended that the Ministry of Education enhance and accelerate education programs for marginalized learners and learners with special needs while upscaling inclusivity, an area in which he said EdTech will have to play a crucial role.

    We also recommended the framework for operationalizing the National Open University of Kenya. This alone presents a transformative opportunity for technology to play a central role in shaping the future of education. These are the areas which he said EdTech needs to swim in.

    He called upon collaboration between the government, education institutions, and the private sector as an essential player in the success of these reforms.

    He noted that he is very close to the EdTech community because they are the team that can help the government achieve or fulfill the recommendations they have on the table both nationally, regionally, and even globally.

    “If we talk of the African Union, that is where every country within the region must come. We need serious stakeholders and partners like the EdTech community and other opportunities because we have increased access to learning, inclusive quality education, relevance in learning and teaching, and parent and teacher professional development.

    Online courses are something that EdTech East Africa can do because, within the EdTech community, we have a team of innovators who have a lot of energy to implement this.

    EdTech East Africa has a plan to hold their summits in all 47 counties to create awareness of the importance of technology in schools. The next summit will be held in North and Northern Eastern, Central, and then come back to Nairobi for the 2024 national summit.

    About the AuthorMs. Aura is a communication consultant, a storyteller, and a writer. She is a journalist working with Radio Africa Group, where she writes for The Star Newspaper.

  • Pwani EdTech Summit affirms that Collaboration is the KEY key to EdTech Transformation

    Pwani EdTech Summit affirms that Collaboration is the KEY key to EdTech Transformation

    By Cece Siago

    It is a hot, humid Tuesday morning on February 20th, and guests are slowly streaming in to attend the EdTech East Africa organised Pwani EDTech Summit.

    A first of its kind, the event brought together EdTech experts based in the Coast region as well as innovators working in the coastal part of Kenya.

    Close the Gap, an incubation hub nurturing the most outstanding tech innovations in the Coast region, is this edition’s host, with a well-organized venue suited exactly for that kind of audience.

    The summit was not only to discuss the innovations but also to come up with other solutions that will see more learners, especially in remote and marginalized areas, get access to EdTech learning tools.

    It was also to shed light on the importance of collaboration between government agencies, innovators, and other EdTech practitioners to make the learning transformation a success. 

    The inclusion of innovators meant they demonstrated their work to other parties for the sake of making their work known to more people and also forming connections.

    Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) member Dr. Eng Robert Wamalwa officially opened the summit, highlighting why the intersection of technology and education is shaping learning and the future of society. 

    “This summit is a catalyst for change where education is not confined to classrooms. This is a journey that will change the destiny of education,” Wamalwa said, setting the mood for the day-long engagement.

    He also noted the importance of leveraging the use of technology to empower learners and institutions. As an ambassador for ED Tech, he said it was time that government officials, education players, and the private sector collaborate to see not only Kenya but all the African Union countries benefit from this.

    Jacinta Nduta, Close the Gap’s hub manager, was appreciative of EdTech East Africa considering the hub as a venue for the largest EdTech summit in the coastal region.

    She said the hub offers co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and physical shops for computers whose prices are way below the market prices. These computers allow a wider population to access affordable laptops.

    Their latest innovation is the Digitruck, which moves from one school to another to teach coding to learners, especially those who do not have physical premises or infrastructure that would promote education in tech, such as electricity or machines.

    EdTech East Arica Co-Founder Jennifer Cotter-Otieno was in awe of the attendance, noting how this was just a noble idea with ten people ten years ago but is now attracting tens of hundreds of players in the sector.

    “We decided to hold a summit in Mombasa because we wanted to bring all the communities represented from across the country.”.

    “We cannot change the education sector in Kenya individually, but when we do it together, it is possible.”

    On the partnership, she said the Mastercard Foundation had played a major role as a sponsor for this and other EdTech East Africa initiatives, such as the EdTech Mondays, a programme that discusses various issues in the industry and features several players.

    Collaboration

    EdTech Hub Executive Director Verna Lalbeharie noted that with Ed Tech, it was key to co-create innovations with teachers, parents, and caregivers to be able to have an all-round working system.

    “There is limited evidence of what works in low- and middle-income countries. We need more collaborative research that will enhance the design and the platforms that we use for learning.”

    A key issue was the importance of parent engagement, even as she said that teachers had shown enthusiasm.

    “Parents cannot expose children to teaching at an early age; therefore, collaboration with caregivers can help prompt them to meet the challenges expected because they know what they need.”

    She also noted that the learner’s wellness was important in transition. Verna said the physical health, mental health, and all-around wellness of those learning also contribute to the success of the tools used and their effectiveness.

    Collaboration stood out in the day-long interactions that not only involved speeches by key organizers but also plenaries and group discussions organized to shed light on the various technologies that have been applied to support learners in their education.

    In her opening speech, Jennifer Cotter-Otieno said this was not just an event, but the summit was a platform to create relationships that forge the way forward in the fast-growing sector.

    “We want to create an evidence-driven movement, create transparency, and also catalyze action so that we can do our work more efficiently.” 

    This was not possible without the inclusion of key government players.

    For instance, the presidential working party on education reforms, represented by Dr. Robert Juma Wamalwa, came up with recommendations for improving the learning cycle.

    “Let us reflect on the power of collaboration and imagination,” Dr. Wamalwa said, adding that PWPER had come up with recommendations for education, with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of ICT, and EdTech playing a major role in the education transformation.

    He also said the other recommendation was for the Ministry of Education to enhance inclusivity, which will be an opportunity for EdTech to play a role in the fast-transforming and evolving education sector due to technology. 

    Other than the role of the government, innovators were also asked to collaborate, as opposed to working in silos, to be able to bring out the best in their work. Innovators join forces, especially those with similar innovations, to avoid the replication of ideas.

    Collective Action

    Joan Mwachi’s Collective Action Workshop session brought to light how stakeholders are preparing for the use of artificial intelligence in terms of policies and how technology can help close this gap.

    “If we work collectively, we will achieve the changes we want,” said Joan.

    She said successful collaboration efforts include having a common agenda, a shared measurement system, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and a backbone support organization. 

    “EdTech has started a movement that I think will lead us to achieving this,” added Joan.

    Demonstrations of Working Innovations in Coast Region

    In one of the breakouts, Stem Impact Center Kenya ran a demonstration on how to use the coding app dubbed SCRATCH, which uses a block model for coding.

    Stem Impact Center, the youth development non-profit organization, leverages Science, Technology, and Innovations (STI) to enhance technical skills development, youth empowerment, employment creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

    The showcased programming language and online platform allow users to create stories, games, and animations. Scratch promotes computational thinking and problem-solving skills, creative teaching and learning, self-expression and collaboration, and equity in computing.

    Children as young as six years old can use this, which is one of the technological learning solutions that is effective in some Coast region schools. For instance, the drag-and-drop program can be used to ease learning, and its adaptation of the Kiswahili and English languages makes the tool more relatable.

    The highlight of the demo session was when participants were offered laptops to attempt to create characters and conversations using the block model. This also involved individual voice recordings to personalize the characters and being guided on how to arrange the code blocks to make successful stories from the characters. 

    “Most learners love it when they hear their voices, which makes the tool more relatable,” a representative from the STEM Impact Center said. They added that the innovation was willing to offer workshops for both teachers and learners in new schools to get to know how the tool works.

    Taking Digital Personalized Learning in ECDs a notch higher

    In the other session, Janice Mutegi and Joseph Gatonye, passionate ECD teachers, took advantage of the forum to explain to the attendees how an innovation of EIDU is working to help learning in preschools.

    “We are bringing digital personalized learning (DPL) to Kenya to support teachers’ efforts in teaching,” said Janice.

    Through the tool, learners have access to digital personalized learning content in math and literacy. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has approved all content, and it is fully in line with the new competency-based curriculum (CBC).

    Her co-presenter, Mr. Gatonye, said they are working in steps with partners to ensure the DPL is introduced in class to support the teacher’s efforts and also have a structured pedagogy that is digitised to help teachers have some uniform way to deliver the competency-based curriculum (CBC) better and ensure ECDE officers have a platform or tool to monitor and support learning.

    So far, the team has visited 37 counties and says their goal is to serve all 12+ million public pre-primary and primary students across the country by 2027, making Kenya the first country in the world to have a fully digitized education system.

    Mr. Gatonye said they had developed a digital learning platform and worked with the county governments to identify schools and then help the teachers deliver the CBC curriculum.

    To ensure teachers are capacity-built, they used a master training approach for early childhood development officers. They also support monitoring through class observations and cluster meetings, and EIDU officers support tech issues.

    In the case study, Jane said ECDE learning in the classroom has shown considerable improvement in terms of materials in the Coast region.

    “However, in every classroom you visit, different teachers have different strategic methods of covering their lessons. Even though they are using CBC designs from KICD, they have different priorities,” she said.

    The project, however, still faces a challenge because there are few tools to support teachers in the coverage of their lessons.

    Local education officers monitoring learning also turned out to be a challenge. The duo, however, said EIDU has joined hands with the county government to ensure learning outcomes are improved through the use of enhanced tools to support the learner, the teacher, and the officers.

    Their sessions also included group questions for participants to brainstorm how best teachers can be supported through training and capacity building when it comes to the application of the DPL tools in schools.

    To be highly noted was the need to not just target the teachers but also to include community leaders and parents and use existing platforms.

    Participants also suggested that there should be webinars for teacher training so that they do not have to move out of the classroom. The other suggestion was training outside of class hours.

    To make this more effective, groups suggested that young teachers should be targeted in the training since they are more adaptive to digital tools. 

    As teachers, it was also important to note that there were factors to be considered when it came to the dosage of the tools for the learners. Participants said key considerations would be the concentration span of the learners, the activity type, and the type of learner to know how long each one will take to use the tools.

    Creating Visibility

    As the summit came to an end, Ed Tech East Africa called for the need to increase the visibility of creators and their projects to a larger audience.

    This is after it turned out that even though there were great innovations, they were not highlighted, and people and various stakeholders were not aware of what was happening in the Ed Tech space in the coastal region and other parts of the country.

    Ms Joan said highlighting such innovations to a greater audience will not only foster growth but also open avenues for collaboration with interested investors and innovators from other parts of the world

    More summits and opportunities

    In her closing remarks, Jennifer said this was the first of the many regional summits.

    The next summit will be held in the Northern Kenya Region and another one in the Central Region before it goes back to Nairobi. “These summits will hold discussions that reflect on the technology being used and whether it is working in these specific regions,” said the co-founder.

    About the author:

    Ms. Cece Siago is a bilingual multimedia communication specialist and consultant. With over seven years of experience in the communication and media industries, she develops compelling stories with a bias in technology, education, climate, health, and the environment. She has worked with the Nation Media Group as a reporter based in the Coast region, with her multimedia work published in The East African, The Daily Nation, Business Daily, and Taifa Leo (Swahili), among others.

  • Western EdTech Summit Sparks Innovation Dialogues from the Ground Up

    Western EdTech Summit Sparks Innovation Dialogues from the Ground Up

    By Kennedy Kachwanya

    EdTech East Africa, spearheaded by visionary co-founder and CEO Jennifer Cotter-Otieno, is not just an organization. It is a movement, a vibrant ecosystem of stakeholders working together to reshape the educational landscape through technology.

    From a humble beginning as EdTech Nairobi, this powerhouse has grown to over 4,000 members, united by a common goal: inclusive, evidence-driven technology use in education. Their reach goes beyond the city limits, thanks to partners who share their passion. The summit in Western Kenya exemplifies their commitment to building a truly inclusive movement.

    The goals of EdTech Conversations are clear and ambitious:

    ● Coordinated action: Ensure technology in education is used inclusively and effectively.

    ● Transparency and clarity: bridge the communication gap between diverse stakeholders.

    ● Action, not just talk: drive policies, practices, and real-world impact.

    This isn’t a one-off event. EdTech Conversations have been ongoing for two years, attracting more voices and evidence with each session. It’s about building a collective narrative—a tapestry woven from diverse experiences and perspectives.

    Who attends?

    The Western EdTech Summit, hosted at Tom Mboya University in Homabay, was a microcosm of the movement itself. From product developers to community educators, from research scientists to digital infrastructure builders, everyone with a stake in education’s future was present. It was a powerful reminder that change requires a village.

    The event was not just about sharing stories. Dr. Manos Antonios’s presentation of the 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report on Technology and Education offered a critical look at this evolving field. Key takeaways?

    ● Scale and Scope of Technology: Despite significant deployment in higher education, technology has yet to transform primary and secondary education. Only one in ten students use digital devices regularly in classrooms.

    ● Rapid Change and Lack of Evidence: Education technology products change rapidly, approximately every three years. This pace outstrips the ability of research to keep up. In the UK, only 7% of products have undergone rigorous testing. In the US, only 2% of apps in the government clearinghouse have evidence of a moderate or high impact on learning. Despite the lack of evidence, technology adoption continues at a rapid pace, with technology providers generating much of the available evidence.

    ● Impact on Learning: The impact of technology on learning is best described as context-dependent. Some educational technologies improve some types of learning in some contexts. Broader societal issues related to equity and equality should inform decisions on the use of technology in education.

    ● Human-Centered Vision of Education: Technology in education should put the best interests of learners and teachers at the center. The suitability and value of these tools need to be proven concerning a human-centered vision of education. It’s important to consider who these tools might leave behind.

    Dr. Antonios also shared a four-point compass that his team had developed for education policymakers:

    ● Look Down: Assess if the technology is appropriate to your context and learning needs.

    ● Look Back: Ensure focus on the marginalized.

    ● Look Up: Consider whether your choices are scalable.

    ● Look Forward: Plan to support a vision for sustainable development in the future.

    Western Kenya Grassroot Education Technology Case Studies 

    Angaza Elimu

    Mr. Kiko Muuo, CEO of Angaza Elimu, provided demonstrable proof of the potential in the case study he presented. His pilot project in GIGA schools demonstrated the effectiveness of personalized learning and teaching. Angaza Elimu, a digital tool, boosted student engagement and performance, with boys showing higher adoption and improvement in science and social studies.

    ● Angaza Elimu: It proved to be an effective tool for facilitating student engagement inside and outside the classroom, with measurable improvements in student performance over its usage period.

    ● Gender Differences: Across almost all schools, boys had higher levels of engagement and adoption of Angaza Elimu and outperformed girls.

    ● Subject Performance: Science and social studies were the subjects where Angaza Elimu facilitated the highest increases in student performance.

    ● Teacher Upskilling: Teachers require upskilling that builds digital literacy as well as learning greater digital pedagogy principles. Increased digital competency among teachers and access to digital tools enhance the capacity of teachers to adapt teaching methods to deliver the national curriculum.

    Challenges remain:

    ● Internet Access: Consistent access to the Internet remains a key challenge for the adoption of digital learning and teaching in schools.

    ● Device Availability: There is a lack of enough devices, with a best-case scenario of a 1:2 device-to-student ratio per class in each school. This leads to the significant challenge of device scrambling.

    ● Teacher Training: There is a strong need for ad hoc and ongoing in-person teacher training components that build teachers’ comfort and confidence to utilize digital tools.

    Edutab Africa

    Mr. Mike Mumbo, the CEO and Founder of Edutab Africa, presented the second case study. It clearly showed the importance of teamwork by stakeholders for rural learning. In two remote Trans Nzoia schools, Edutab Africa is using Moodle to provide offline digital education, transforming how teachers use technology and integrate playful learning. This ongoing collaboration with local NGOs, schools, and the Ministry of Education highlights the crucial role of partnerships in empowering rural communities.

    Collective Action Goals Workshop

    The participants in particular gave careful consideration to the collective action objectives under Joan Mwachi’s leadership at EdTech East Africa.  From the workshop, it was clear that education today faces a critical turning point. A coordinated effort with specific objectives that prioritize inclusivity, innovation, and empowerment is necessary to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of the future. The five EDTech East Africa collective goals are very clear and specific:

    • 1. Building the foundations: Literacy and numeracy aren’t relics of the past; they’re the pillars upon which future skills are built. Ensuring every learner, regardless of background or circumstance, grasps these core competencies is paramount. The key is to use a shared measurement system, using tools like EGra and EGma to assess literacy and numeracy skills across different programs
    • 2. Future-Proofing Skills: The world of work is evolving at breakneck speed. It was clear to all that learners should be equipped with the critical thinking, collaboration, and digital fluency they need to solve problems, adapt to change, and navigate the complexities of a digital future.
    • 3. Technology for All: Technology can be a powerful equalizer, but only if it is designed for inclusivity and accessibility. From diverse content to user interfaces that cater to different learning styles, we must ensure technology serves every learner, not only a select few.
    • 4. Empowering the Frontlines: Teachers, school leaders, parents, and caregivers are the closest allies of learners on their educational journey. By strengthening their capacity to create data-driven, inclusive, and engaging digital learning experiences, we empower them to guide and inspire.
    • 5. Building a Resilient Ecosystem: Sustainable digital infrastructure, reliable connectivity, and evidence-based policies are the bedrock of a resilient learning environment. Investments in these areas ensure everyone has equal access to quality digital education, no matter where they learn.

    On the last goal, the participants were introduced to the ICT integration model, a framework for government-private sector collaboration to ensure equity, quality, and research in technology-enabled education.

    Conclusion 

    EdTech East Africa is taking the conversations to the grassroots, and the Western EdTech Summit was just the beginning of an exciting journey. Expect more summits in different parts of Kenya, spearheaded by EdTech East Africa. The future of education looks brighter than ever.

  • EdTech can help turn African emergencies into paths of opportunity

    EdTech can help turn African emergencies into paths of opportunity

    By Josaya Wasonga

    During World War II, U.S. leaders realised that nearly 16 million American men and women who were serving in the armed forces would be unemployed when the war finally ended and that this could cause another depression and widespread economic instability similar to the aftereffects of the 1929 stock market crash. To prevent that, experts studied the issue and recommended a series of education and training programs. 

    On Jan. 10, 1944, Congress passed the GI Bill of Rights because it offered federal aid to help veterans buy homes, get jobs, and pursue an education, and in general helped them to readjust to civilian life.

    Within its first seven years of use, about 8 million veterans took advantage. U.S. college and university degree holders more than doubled between 1940 and 1950. Within 50 years, the number of Americans with advanced degrees rose nearly 20 percent. By July 1956, when the bill initially expired, almost half of the 16 million World War II vets had gotten education or training through the GI Bill.

    In 1990, President George H.W. Bush summed up the bill’s impact: “The GI Bill changed the lives of millions by replacing old roadblocks with paths of opportunity.”

    Youth power

    During the Town Hall session at the 2023 EdTech Summit, Joseph Nsengimana pointed out that, as other continents are aging, Africa is getting younger. Nsengimana is the Director of the Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT. The summit was co-created by several edtech players and was sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation and EdTech East Africa. 

    “According to the UNICEF Report, Africa will be home to 2 in 5 children by 2050,” Nsengimana gave the stats. “This is an asset. But it’s only an asset if we can invest in this abundant human resource. It’s important to keep the focus on why we’re all here. Education is why we’re all here. Education technology is the means to accomplish what it is we’re trying to do.” 

    “How do we educate our children in emergencies? How do we make sure we’re taking advantage of all available tools? Whether under a tree or inside a classroom; we have to ensure our children are learning.” 

    2050 is 27 years away. 27 years seems like a long time. 27 years sounds like Africa has all the time in the world to get her act together and seize her rightful place. But in this fast-paced world, that’s a blink of an eye; what with different emergencies side-tracking Africa, causing her to waste valuable time and talents. 

    Learning goes on

    Nobody knows how we can educate our children in emergencies than Jane Maweu, who’s the Education Program Officer at Save The Children International. Maweu, who works in Dadaab Refugee Camp, refers to herself as a trained teacher who’s no longer in the classroom but supports what happens in the classroom. 

    The Dadaab refugee complex has a population of 218,873 registered refugees and asylum seekers as of the end of July 2020. The first camp was established in 1991 when refugees fleeing the civil war in Somalia started to cross the border into Kenya. A second large influx occurred in 2011, when some 130,000 refugees arrived, fleeing drought and famine in southern Somalia. 

    Let’s put it into context. Dadaab has a larger population than the world’s eight least populated countries. Put together. 

    “We deal with populations we refer to as ‘people on the move’; they’re moving from their home countries because of war or unrest,” Maweu explained. “During their transitory process, they have missed education. When they arrive in Dadaab, we have to pick the learning pieces.”

    As if that’s not a big enough challenge, Maweu talked about double jeopardy. The refugee situation is an emergency, and then there are other bolts out of the blue: COVID-19 and El Nino. 

    “I ensure learning continues during emergencies,” Maweu said. “During Covid-19, many children were left out of school. This forced us to think outside the box.”

    No organisation can fly solo during emergency missions. Save The Children has partnered with Library For All which provides gadgets for the learners. Sesame Workshop has also joined the mission. They provide content that targets ECD learners. 

    “We have teachers who have no exposure to what happens. They’re untrained,” Maweu expounded. “They came from neighbouring countries or were born and brought up in the refugee camp and became teachers in the camp. How do we ensure these teachers can use technology to enhance equity in learning?” 

    “We’ve been training these teachers to build their capacity. We’re also partnering with EDU Africa to help these teachers with skills and tools to enhance quality education.” 

    Refugee camps have several challenges. There’s a lack of infrastructure. Families live in tents. Some live in semi-permanent structures. There’s an increasing number of children. There’s also the issue of language. 

    Tech isn’t the be-all and end-all. Tech can only do so much. On the issue of language, the players in Dadaab have tried to contextualise the content by translating it into Somali. That, too, has brought another challenge. The Somali language has several dialects. 

    “Technology will not replace teachers, but teachers with technology in hand are the ones who will replace the teachers without technology,” said Dr. Sam Marigat, the TSC County Director for Kirinyaga. 

    “That should be our foundation when we start discussing EdTech. Technology will supplement teaching. I don’t think technology will replace learners who are lagging behind in learning outcomes. 

    Education under attack

    In an article published in the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, attacks on education in Kenya were reported between 2013 and 2017 with similar frequency to what was reported from 2009 to mid-2013, with a slight uptick in attacks on schools in 2017, due to al-Shabaab’s increased activity that year. 

    In 2014, terrorists killed quarry workers in Wajir. The victims were non-locals. Fearing for their safety, non-local teachers packed and left. 

    “The Wajir governor, Ahmed Abdullahi approached us, saying they had about 400 schools in the region but very few locals were heading these institutions,” said Mahmood Ali, the Managing Director of MwalimuPLUS. “He told us they had tried to bring back the teachers who left, but they adamantly refused.”

    “That time there was no MwalimuPLUS. We were just a technology company. We did a little bit of research and that’s how MwalimuPLUS was born. We gave the governor the idea that we could solve the problem with the schools that had teachers.” 

    Ali’s team got down to brass tacks. They developed and used some models to start training. It worked. They approached the governor and advised him that the teachers he had could be supplemented using technology. They could give the county a product that was ready for students to use. AI would assist them by knowing the individual students, how they are performing, and tailoring content solutions for them. 

    “For those areas that had internet connectivity, we could teach using the same platform from Nairobi,” Ali explained. “We hired experienced teachers who were about to retire. The teachers were teaching from Nairobi.” 

    “We wanted to ensure the product worked. We went to the government to seek clearance to use the product. Then we came to CEMASTEA in 2017 where we did a pilot with about 23 schools, which worked well.” 

    MwalimuPLUS is now not only in conflict areas but also in non-conflict locations. Which just goes to show that local emergencies have local solutions. And it also goes to show that, when education is under attack, the best form of defense is creativity. 

    Partnerships

    There’s an African proverb that says “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”. MwalimuPLUS wants to go far. Which is why they don’t walk alone. They walk with donors, NGOs, national and county governments, and wellwishers. 

    “It’s good to form communities of practice,” said Martin Chungu from Save The Children. “We have done that with different stakeholders; from content creators to gadget providers. Such collaborations are key.” 

    “And to ensure sustainability, we must involve key government stakeholders. Even if some of these organisations are doing small projects, the learning outcomes go a long way in helping the children.”

    Chungu’s colleague Eric Nyawara echoed his sentiments, saying that EdTech players should avoid working in silos.  

    “When developing EdTech tools, we should incorporate all the stakeholders so we can have tools we can easily scale up and replicate because African problems are more or less similar,” Nyawara said. 

    “Whatever you’re doing, I want you to know the government is a custodian and has the principal responsibility to do all the things you’re doing,” Dr. Marigat said. “The government can reach every nook and cranny of the country. Even during emergencies, the government has systems and structures in place to reach out to people in difficult and hard-to-reach situations. 

    Undiscussed emergencies

    “When we’re talking about education in emergencies, do we only confine ourselves to flooding, et al?” An audience member asked. “What about the children who cannot comprehend some of the basic learning they are supposed to know? Isn’t this also an emergency?”

    The answer could lie in remedial programmes. In 2019, researchers evaluated a technology-aided learning, after-school programme in urban India. Children who were the furthest behind saw the greatest improvement in this randomised controlled trial. Those who took part in the intervention “experienced twice the test score value-added in math and 2.5 times that in Hindi” compared to the control group. The authors identified that personalised learning software played a greater role in determining improved learning outcomes than the grade level in which the child is enrolled. 

    A second audience member talked about yet another undiscussed emergency; children with disabilities, whose numbers are increasing. This participant called for more inclusivity, as she was concerned that any intervention that comes up does not put learners with disabilities in mind. 

    Paul Lynch, Et Al say “Robust research is needed to evaluate the conceptualisation, design, testing, and impact of appropriate technology in relation to different environmental conditions (such as gender; age; location – urban, peri-urban, and rural; public/private schools; curriculum area) to meet the needs of the full range and diversity of learners with disabilities in low and middle-income communities”. 

    Turning point 

    To turn African emergencies into paths of opportunity, we ought to take a cue from the U.S., circa 1944. We must study prevailing and future continental and global issues. We must come up with education and training programs to mitigate these issues. These initiatives must involve all leaders. In our different spaces and spheres, we’re all leaders. We must do all these things like our lives depend on it. Wait a sec. Our lives actually depend on it. 

    “The triangle of education at the foundational level is knowledge transmission and acquisition. This is followed by the skills and then character,” the Town Hall moderator, John Kimotho stated. “But in 2050, the foundational level will be character.”

    2050 sounds strangely familiar, right? If not, let me refresh your memory. The year 2050 is precisely when Africa’s young population will have peaked. 

  • EdTech Collective Action Goal 3: Inclusive, accessible, and responsive to learners’ needs.

    EdTech Collective Action Goal 3: Inclusive, accessible, and responsive to learners’ needs.

    By Aileen Waitaaga Kimuhu

    Throughout our conversations, a profound question lingers in the quiet corners of our minds: How do we make learning great? 

    Is it the curriculum alone, meticulously designed and thoughtfully sequenced, that cultivates greatness? Or perhaps the magic lies in the educators, the torchbearers of wisdom who kindle the flames of curiosity through exceptional EdTech tools? It may be that “great learning” is not an output expected of our educators, but an outcome of engaged and motivated learners. 

    Still, for all the things “great learning” could be, what we do know is that learning is made great when everyone can and does participate. And right now, our learning is not great. 

    Despite the existence of policies designed to improve equality of access and opportunity, equitable access is still a dream. Where equality means treating everyone the same, “equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances.” It is the difference between giving everyone a seat at the table and acknowledging that some seats might be shorter than others or that the table itself is not accessible to everyone. As such, related to equity is the question of accessibility. If something is accessible, then it can be used, understood, and shared by everyone. Unfortunately, and to reiterate, education in Kenya is neither equal, equitable, nor accessible. 

    Unequal, Inequitable, Inaccessible.

    Despite policies like free primary and secondary education, increased capitation grants, and the accommodation of special needs learners, education continues to be a privilege. You are more likely to receive an education if you are able-bodied and economically privileged. You are more likely to receive an education if you are male and live in an urban area. And you are more likely to receive an education if you live in a male-headed household. This is before we factor in the content of our curricula, which is often inaccessible, reflects colonial mindsets, and fails to account for the diversity of human experience. This is before we remember that our attempts to make our education more inclusive are often met with heavy resistance from stakeholders for practical and dogmatic reasons. And this is before we, critically for our purposes, consider the digital divide. As noted by the International Labour Organisation:

    “​​Even as digitalisation generates opportunities to increase accessibility to education in Kenya, the digital divide has continued to grow larger for groups that have benefited least from the infrastructural development of information and communication technologies”

    Thus, edTech, rather paradoxically, risks leaving people behind or, perhaps worse still, pushing those who were already behind, even further back. A great example of this is the state of digital education, as it applies to special needs learners in Kenya. Despite recognising the potential of, and the necessity for, digital education for special needs learners, very few to no resources have been availed to make this type of learning a practical reality. This was confirmed by a 2022 study on the implementation of Kenya’s Digital Literacy Programme in Special Needs Schools. This is before we get into the technology itself, which may be poorly designed, quickly assembled, and fail to reflect local contexts.

    Therefore, as we work to improve the acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy and ensure that our youth have the skills they need for the future, we must ask how the rising edTech tide can be used to lift all learners.


    The Workshop

    This was the question the third Collective Action Friday workshop addressed. Together with RELI (The Regional Education Learning Initiative in East Africa), we explored how we could develop educational technology that is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the different needs of learners. And, as with the workshops that came before, we focused on establishing a shared understanding of the problem. As a result, this workshop doubled as a discussion of the elephant in the room: the limits of educational technology. 

    Unveiling the Barriers

    As discussions unfolded, we candidly addressed the barriers that continue to hinder the realization of inclusive education through EdTech. Infrastructure inequalities, varying digital literacy levels, and economic disparities were identified as significant roadblocks. As were, inadequate funding and cultural norms. In fact, and on the point of funding, edTech in Africa is severely underfunded. According to Disrupt Africa’s 2022 African Tech Startups Funding Report, edTech startups received a mere $24.6 million in funding. Compare this to the $1.5 billion received by fintech, the $220 million for transport-based startups, or the $556.7 million for eCommerce. And on the point of cultural norms, a 2021 Working Paper on “Understanding Barriers to Girls’ Access and Use of EdTech in Kenya During Covid-19” affirmed the impact of gendered roles on the accessibility of edTech solutions. They found that “Girls may be discouraged from accessing or using computers due to social and cultural norms, and are instead expected to contribute more heavily than boys to household chores, care for family members, and family income.” Thus, EdTech solutions that fail to account for the nuances in achieving learning outcomes will merely exacerbate these barriers, rather than resolve them.

    Ultimately, we soberly acknowledged that technology, while a potent catalyst, is not a panacea, and highlighted the necessity of multi-faceted solutions that encompass policy changes, teacher training, and community engagement.

    The Enablers of Change

    Amidst the contemplation of challenges, the workshop illuminated the enablers that hold the potential to spark transformative change. Collaborative partnerships, where edTech companies, educational institutions, and governments unite forces, emerged as a crucial strategy. Additionally, the role of localized content creation and context-sensitive design was emphasized as a means to ensure that technology resonates with diverse learners. The workshop championed the notion that customization when wielded effectively, can amplify the impact of EdTech interventions. Another enabler was an equity framework presented by RELI’s Deborah Kimathi. Dubbed the EQUIP Framework, it called upon edTech pioneers, innovators, and designers to do four things to centralise equity in the design and use process. These are; (1) needs assessment and asset mapping to gauge the needs of your consumers; (2) application through an interactive tool that allows real-time feedback; (3) recommend minimum requirements that account for community needs; finally (4) explore mitigating strategies. 

    We then dissected and debated this framework; engaging in thought-provoking discussions that revealed the intricate nuances of what equity truly entails. While the conversation was marked by a diversity of viewpoints, a shared commitment to unraveling the complexities of equity bound participants together in a shared endeavour.

    Conclusion

    However, where, in previous workshops, we left with more answers than questions, in this workshop we left with more questions than answers. And that’s a great thing! Questions often tell you more than answers. The right questions will tell you where the gaps are in your knowledge and thinking. They will expose what you don’t know, you don’t know. Above all, the right questions will foster discussion and collaboration. So as we prepare for the Kenya EdTech Summit 2023, here are some questions to ponder:

    1. How do we balance scale and contextualisation (the local relevance and use)? 
    2. Given that terms like “equitable”, “accessible”, and “underresourced” have specific connotations that refer to specific communities, how do you convince funders that you mean everyone? Not just a few?
    3. How do we design EdTech for everyone? Is it even possible?
    4. Where are the fracture points in the process of extending equity, inclusivity, and accessibility to education?
    5. Above all, how do we make learning great? And what does this mean?

    See you at the EdTech Summit!

  • Introducing Kenya’s EdTech Collective Action Fridays: Nurturing Innovation in Education

    Introducing Kenya’s EdTech Collective Action Fridays: Nurturing Innovation in Education

    In an increasingly digital world, the integration of technology in education has become a crucial component in preparing learners for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Recognizing the significance of this transformation, EdTech East Africa is proud to present the inaugural workshop series of Kenya’s EdTech Collective Action Fridays. 

    The EdTech Collective Action Fridays workshops will span five weeks, commencing on July 14th and concluding on August 25th. Each session will be curated around one of the five specific Collective Action goals. Put together, these goals reflect the challenges and opportunities of tech integration in education. Ultimately encouraging, and in some cases provoking, all of us – learners, educators, administrators, parents, government officials, and experts – to action.

    The Collective Action Goals

    Launched in November 2022, the Collective Action Goals identify the challenges that characterise Kenya’s EdTech space. These goals are grounded in the government’s ICT in Education and Training Policy 2021, which aims to promote an inclusive enabling environment for ICT in education by mobilising resources, empowering parents, educators, and administrators, and enhancing curriculum development.

    The Collective Action Agenda synthesises this policy into five actionable goals upon which resources can be mobilised, stakeholders empowered, and curriculums enhanced. Notably, the Agenda embraces and embodies the collaborative spirit emphasised in the 2021 policy; directing our attention to five focus areas. They are: (1) foundational literacy & numeracy; (2) skills for the future; (3) equity and inclusion; (4) capacity building for educators and parents; and (5) digital infrastructure and enabling policy. In so doing, these Goals do more than present a way forward. They affirm the reality that educational technology is only as impactful as its reach. And aim to expand this reach. 

    Overview of the Workshop Series

    Accordingly, each workshop is facilitated by a panel of vibrant moderators and partners who are experts in their respective fields. Our experts will bring a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that arise when integrating technology into education.

    1. Cultivating Foundational Literacy and Numeracy for All Learners | 14 Jul

    The first workshop will focus on empowering learners with essential literacy and numeracy skills. Participants will explore innovative approaches, digital tools, and resources that can enhance foundational learning for students across Kenya. 

    The workshop will be co-hosted with EdTech Hub, an organisation that conducts rigorous academic research to provide evidence-based advice about how to use technology in education. Presently, EdTech Hub is researching how digital personalised learning can improve foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes. As well as how to improve phone-based learning and the role it can play in curriculum delivery. This is addition to their work with the Kenya Institute for Curriculum Delivery, assisting them in the technological aspects of the Competency Based Curriculum. EdTech Hub also runs a course for EdTech entrepreneurs that helps support the integration of evidence into the design and deployment of edtech tools for improving foundational literacy and numeracy. e

    1. Empowering Learners for the Digital Workforce and Society | 4 Aug

    The second workshop will delve into equipping learners with the necessary skills to thrive in a digital-centric workforce and society. Discussions will centre around emerging technologies, digital literacy, and ways to prepare students to solve the problems of the future.

    This workshop will be co-hosted with Jobtech Alliance, an ecosystem-building organisation that works with digital platforms that connect people to work opportunities that build livelihoods. 

    1. Developing Inclusive and Accessible Technology in Education | 11 Aug

    Inclusivity and accessibility are vital for ensuring that all learners have equal opportunities to excel. The third workshop will explore how technology can be harnessed to cater to diverse learner needs, enabling personalised learning experiences for students with different abilities.

    This workshop will be hosted by the Regional Education Learning Initiative (RELI) is a network of educational institutions, nonprofits, and state-sponsored organisations committed to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in education across Africa.  

    1. Strengthening the Capacity of Education Leaders | 18 Aug

    The fourth workshop will focus on empowering teachers, pedagogical leaders, parents, and caregivers with the skills and knowledge needed to make data-driven decisions in education. Participants will explore how data analytics and evidence-based practices can inform and enhance teaching and learning outcomes.

    1. Forging Reliable and Sustainable Digital Infrastructure and Policies | 25 Aug

    The final workshop will emphasise the importance of reliable digital infrastructure and evidence-driven policies in supporting resilient learning environments. Participants will discuss strategies for building robust technological infrastructure and explore policies that promote the effective and sustainable integration of technology in education.

    Each workshop will be designed to be interactive and engaging, encouraging active participation from attendees. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute their ideas, share best practices, and collaborate with peers, fostering a sense of collective action and community-driven change. 

    Throughout the workshop series, attendees will work together to construct a comprehensive systems map that showcases the interconnections between various stakeholders, technologies, policies, and challenges in the EdTech ecosystem in Kenya. This visual representation will provide a valuable resource for understanding the complex dynamics of the educational landscape and identifying opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

    Conclusion:

    Kenya’s EdTech Collective Action Fridays present an exciting opportunity for educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in the education sector to come together, share ideas, and collectively shape the future of education in Kenya. By focusing on the five Collective Action goals, these workshops aim to foster a holistic approach to leveraging technology in education, ultimately benefiting learners and paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient education system.

    Yet, they are more than a series of workshops designed to bring together a diversity of perspectives dedicated to improving education quality. Indeed, by creating a collaborative space, Collective Action Fridays remind us that no single actor is responsible for addressing the shortcomings in our education system. They remind us that we are not alone in our desire to fully realise educations’ transformative capabilities, and what is required of us is not a series of large leaps, but small, consistent steps toward the dream we all seek. 

    This vision is nothing less than a new social contract for education. One that is cognizant of our relationships with each other, with the planet, and with technology, and aims to nurture and strengthen them. One that is appreciative of the Kenyan context, and reflects our needs, capabilities and limitations. A social contract, that must be implemented. 

    Ultimately, this Collective Action Fridays invites us to do. For that reason alone, it has valuable lessons for each and every one of us.