This archive report was first published on 11 May 2020.
Parents as Teachers, Bookshops Playing Catch Up: Evaluating E-Learning ¶
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, parents have been forced to take on the role of teachers, homeschooling their children in the safety of their own homes. This has presented a unique challenge, as parents struggle to keep their children entertained and engaged in learning.
Bookshops, which were once thriving cultural institutions, have also been severely impacted by the pandemic. Many have closed down, while others have been forced to adapt by selling non-related stock, such as fertilizer. The once-fresh smell of new books has given way to mouldy pockets of air, and the awe associated with bookshops as cultural sites of national identity is fast fading into oblivion.
However, with the government's partial lockdown in place, publishers have seen an opportunity to spike their sales by going completely electronic. Many e-books are very cheap, with Longhorn publishers' e-platform selling books for as little as Ksh20 before the outbreak of the pandemic. In a heartwarming move, Longhorn publishers have now opened their e-platform for free access to learners who are grounded at home.
As the world accelerates into an economic recession, the publishing industry in Kenya is facing a dire situation. The Ksh15 billion industry, which wholly depends on educational kids' books subsidized by the government, is struggling to stay afloat. But with the rise of electronic publishing and the ease with which learners can access the internet, there is hope for a new era of e-learning in Kenya.
Traditional publishers stuck in the Gutenberg era will have to change to electronic publishing or perish. The new changes will provide sites for both writers and readers to connect seamlessly, enhancing productivity and the uptake of e-books unlike physical books. It is time to embrace e-learning for the sake of humanity and children at home.
