Kenya's DigiSchool Initiative Provides Online Learning for Hearing-Impaired Children

Kenya's DigiSchool Initiative: Bridging the Digital Divide for Hearing-Impaired Students

The DigiSchool Connectivity Project in Kenya aims to empower children with hearing impairments by providing them with online learning opportunities. Recently, Huawei, in collaboration with UNESCO and the Kenyan government, announced the completion of the second phase of this transformative project, which connects 21 schools, including six specifically dedicated to special education, to the internet.

The initiative aligns with the government's Digital Highway Agenda and its commitment to provide internet access to all schools across Kenya. This project is a collaborative effort involving the Kenyan Ministry of Education, the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, Kenya Power (KPLC), UNESCO, and Huawei's TECH4ALL program.

On March 14th, the announcement was made at Machakos Primary School for the Deaf, one of the beneficiary schools now connected to the national high-speed fiber broadband network. Eng. John Tanui CBS, Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, emphasized the significance of this development in improving the educational experience for hearing-impaired students. He noted that visual access is crucial for these students, and the project also incorporates video conferencing solutions to facilitate remote learning.

In his statement, Tanui expressed appreciation for the role of private sector partners in implementing such life-changing programs. “Collaborating with strategic partners like Huawei and UNESCO is vital as we move forward with our digital inclusivity agenda, aiming to transform lives and livelihoods,” he remarked.

The integration of video conferencing equipment allows the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) to provide remote assistance to teachers and students at schools for the hearing impaired. This capability enhances instructional capacity and facilitates access to various educational services. Huawei's Deputy CEO for Kenya, Stephen Zhang, highlighted that these connectivity solutions improve educational management efficiency. They enable head teachers to access management systems online and enhance access to educational resources such as videos, curricula, and expert input.

Moreover, in-class connectivity makes learning more engaging and effective, while enabling specialists to conduct evaluations and rehabilitation services remotely for schools catering to students with special educational needs. During the announcement event, participants had the opportunity to witness firsthand how students optimize internet usage in the classroom and the potential benefits of online video calls between them and KISE experts.

Louise Haxthausen, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, reiterated UNESCO's commitment to supporting Kenya’s government, Huawei, and all stakeholders in providing inclusive and equitable quality education, as specified in the Sustainable Development Goal 4 and the National Education Sector Strategic Plan objectives.

The TECH4ALL initiative, which underpins Huawei's long-term commitment to digital inclusivity, has been integral to the DigiSchool Connectivity Project since its inception. Responsibilities include technical assessment, solution design, equipment procurement, and project management. Huawei’s fully optical access and FTTR-B solutions, linked to the national NOFBI fiber optic network, ensure schools receive high-quality, fully optical Wi-Fi connectivity and a high-speed network experience for online courses and live video lessons.

The first phase of the DigiSchool project successfully connected 13 schools, benefiting 6,000 students and teachers. A recent evaluation revealed that 98% of the students affirm the internet meets their educational needs, 84% noted it makes learning more exciting, and 71% said that online resources facilitate understanding complex concepts.

In conclusion, the DigiSchool initiative represents a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide for hearing-impaired students in Kenya, ensuring that they receive the quality education they deserve while promoting digital inclusivity and sustainable development through innovative technology and collaborative efforts.