This archive report was first published on 15 June 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread globally, Kenyan universities are embracing e-learning as a means of ensuring continuity of education. The shift has been accelerated by the need to maintain social distancing and prevent the spread of the virus.
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has invested Sh50 million in improving its digital infrastructure, enabling students to access online learning platforms. The university's vice-chancellor, Prof Stanley Waudo, noted that the initiative has allowed students to access value-added online learning and has facilitated the handling of an influx of new entrants who want to complete their coursework on time.
“What we are doing is testing students on critical thinking and understanding of the subject in order to curb the possibility of cheating,” Prof Waudo said.
By Friday evening, 6,000 students, especially those in their final year, had registered for online classes. Before the pandemic, the university had 7,000 students on its e-learning platform.
Prof Waudo noted that the university was already one of the biggest e-learning providers in the country before the pandemic, making the transition to online learning relatively smooth.
Another institution, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, has also scaled up its online learning model. Vice-Chancellor Stephen Agong said that in the past three months, the university has brought about 10,000 students onto its e-learning platform.
“Despite its horrific implications for global health and the economy, the crisis of coronavirus is a blessing in disguise for many learning institutions since it has brought a welcome rebirth of our education systems,” Prof Agong said.
Prof Agong noted that the university has rolled out an e-learning platform alongside other online communication platforms such as Zoom and the Kenya Education Network (Kenet) conferencing facility.
However, the university has faced challenges in delivering the curriculum to students with special needs, with Prof Agong noting that they have achieved 75 per cent success in this regard.
“For those who may not have access to online support, we will make arrangements to ensure that no one is left behind,” Prof Agong added.
Another university, Maseno University, has decided to strengthen its eCampus, which previously existed as an independent campus. The university's Communications Director, Owen Mc'Onyango, noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has presented the university with the challenge to expand its virtual campus and extend its services to over 20,000 campus-based students.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has presented us with the challenge to expand our virtual campus and extend our services to over 20,000 campus-based students,” Dr Mc'Onyango said.
Dr Mc'Onyango noted that the university will continue to have face-to-face learning, but students will have the liberty to attend classes on the virtual platform after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Those who may not be present during on-campus learning for one reason or the other can attend remotely from wherever they are. All we need to do is expand it, sharpen it and improve it,” Dr Mc'Onyango said.
From an initial 5,000 online users, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Open Distance and e-Learning director Gordon Nguka said the service has been extended to over 23,000 learners and lecturers.
“From March this year, we have been conducting virtual thesis defence for our master’s and doctorate students,” he said, adding that they are doing two defences per week.
Undergraduate students are also learning and doing tests online. The university is working on the logistics of doing exams online and has partnered with Safaricom and Telkom to provide free internet services to students and academic staff.
