E-learning helping schools mitigate ‘maandamano’ crisis
Online classes are helping universities and tertiary learning institutions avoid disruptions as political crisis in Kenya threaten to interfere with access to institutions.
Kenya’s opposition Azimio la Umoja has announced to organise peaceful protests every Monday and Thursday. The protests are, however, anything but peaceful, significantly affecting the normal order of businesses and learning institutions.
Since Covid-19 many universities have moved classes online either fully or partially. This has enabled learners especially at advanced leveled such as masters take courses from the comfort of their homes and offices rather than show up at the institution.
University lecturers say online classes have meant less disruptions during the protests as they continue holding online lessons. “Online has really helped reduce the impact of the disruptions, in fact, I had a class on Monday as if nothing had happened,” a University of Nairobi don said in confidence.
E-learning have been key for universities in expanding reach and access while keeping costs at a minimal.
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Riara University Vice Chancellor Prof Robert Gateru said online classes are also getting more popular as cash strapped universities try to get innovative to offer quality education and reach the requisite number of students at lower costs.
“After we moved to online during Covid-19 and hybrid after, we applied for online learning two years ago and the ministry did the inspection last year. We are currently waiting for a formal accreditation for students to transition into fully online,” Prof Gateru said.
Facilitated by strong stable infrastructure such as Safaricom home fiber and 4G for home, learners are able to have seamless uninterrupted study sessions from the comfort of their homes.
Students have the options of using Safaricom 4G home offering that has evolved from speed based to volume based packages for as little as Kes2,999.
Schools are also slowly transitioning building websites with the learning modules, classes and internal communication channels.
