A partnership between Plan International and SOS Children’s Villages, along with companies, governments and civil sector groups, is helping to share the benefits of technology with disadvantaged communities in Kenya.
Aiming to increase literacy among children aged 6 to 9, the Open Space Literacy (OSL) project introduces new technologies to students and teachers in disadvantaged communities. OSL is part of the global effort known as Information and Communications Technologies for Development (ICT4D).
Starting last year with 25 schools in Nairobi, Kenya, the goal is to reach 300 schools nationally within a few years.
Thanks to the support of partners including Nokia, British Telecom and Lenovo, OSL helps teachers develop inclusive teaching methods, classroom leadership, and the use of information and communication technologies. The project helps create networks for teachers and engages parents and community members in school management.
Around 14,500 pupils, 580 teachers and 140 school management board members from disadvantaged communities have directly participated in the project. Moreover, around 10,800 children are benefitting indirectly thanks to improvements in school management. About 17,500 people across the community have benefitted directly or indirectly from OSL.
Teacher Mrs Omolo explains how her school has benefitted from the programme. “We have made it a policy to do away with handwritten documents. Teachers are preparing lesson plans using computers as well as developing new teaching slides”
A total of 16 pioneer teachers were selected to follow a more specialised training on ICT and act as technical support for their colleagues in the schools in solving problems internally and supporting the sustainability of the project.
Jennifer, 7, enjoys using the computers during her lessons. “I feel happy attending computer class. I love the lessons because it is easier to remember what I learnt. All my friends also look forward to computer lessons and I wish all classes could be done in the computer lab.”
The Government of Kenya has acknowledged the value of OSL for education in the public schools and is supporting its implementation in cooperation with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, through the provision of qualified trainers to train teachers how to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into their work.
© Content Credits: Plan International
