The ICT Cabinet Secretary, Eliud Owalo, has made a clarion call to all Kenyans to embrace the open university model for learning. That will give many an affordable and convenient alternative for education. While addressing the press after inaugurating a digital hub at Weru TVC in Malindi, he pointed out the benefits accruing from the works put in to increase digital connectivity and education levels countrywide.
The Open University Model
Benefits and Accessibility
Owalo revealed that over 2,000 students had enrolled at the open university courses, which was rolled out through the Konza Metropolis. There is ease of access since “you only need a phone or a computer to join.” This model enables students to learn in ways that do not require them to physically attend a learning institution, hence significantly reducing the cost implications associated with traveling, accommodation, and other appended costs associated with physical learning.
Digital Hubs and Connectivity
The digital hub which was commissioned in Malindi is the 205th hub in Kenya. The government is in the process of setting up 1,450 Digital Hubs in all county Wards. The digital hubs are imperative because they provide access to digital learning resources and training. The CS said, “TVETs in the rural centers are the next level of focus to ensure that even people in the most rural and marginalised areas access these opportunities that come with these gaps.”
Government’s Digital Initiatives
Training and Infrastructure
Owalo said 490,000 youths have been trained in digital technology, an indication of the much support from the government towards enhancing digital literacy. As an extension, the government is going to use Kenya Power lines to connect fiber cables, unlike before, when fiber cables were mainly done underground. This is a move against vandalism and is expected to speed up the expansion of connectivity to the internet.
Fiber Connectivity Expansion
The project includes extending fiber connectivity to all the 74,000 existing transformers to make it possible for institutions and public places like market centers near them to access the internet. He said they have already initialized the beginning of the project in which 300 contractors have been engaged countrywide to kick off that important assignment that is going to enhance digital infrastructure.
Enhancing Government Services
Digital Transformation
He promised that the digital transformation championed by the Kenya Kwanza administration would make government services more efficient and accessible. Owalo explained that Kenyans will now interact directly with government services through their phones, eliminatng the need for physical presence they required in government offices. Services like applying for IDs or passports will go virtual, hence much easier for many citizens.
Affordable Smartphones Initiative
Local Assembly and Market Demand
Acknowledging the inadequacy of access to smartphones for the general Kenyan population, Owalo announced that the government would begin assembling affordable smartphones locally in collaboration with the private sector. By doing so, it would reduce the import dependency, more so, that from countries such as China and Korea.
Availability and Pricing
The Neon brand handsets which are locally assembled and going for Ksh 7,499 a unit, will be available at all Safaricom branches and Jamii Telecom shops countrywide. This affordability is targeting to increase smartphone penetration that will result in increasing access to digital learning and e-government services.