Huawei and UNESCO complete Kenya DigiSchool Project

Huawei, UNESCO, and government partners announced the completion of Phase II of the Kenya DigiSchool Connectivity Project. This initiative has successfully connected 21 schools to the Internet, including six schools for children with special educational needs.

The project aligns with the Kenyan government's Digital Superhighway Agenda, aimed at enhancing Internet connectivity across schools in the country. It involves collaboration between Kenya's Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy, Kenya Power, UNESCO, and Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative.

The announcement took place at Machakos Primary School for the Deaf on March 14, officiated by Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary for the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy. Among the connected institutions, the school for deaf children is now linked to the national fiber broadband network.

Eng. John Tanui emphasized the importance of connectivity, stating, “We are here at Machakos Primary School for the Deaf to ensure that the school is connected to the national fiber so that they can learn better and contribute to improved learning outcomes.” The initiative also includes video conferencing solutions to support remote learning and provide valuable resources for both students and teachers.

Stephen Zhang, Deputy CEO of Huawei Kenya, noted that these solutions enhance educational management and improve access to various online resources. Attendees of the launch observed firsthand how students are utilizing Internet resources in the classroom.

Louise Haxthausen, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting inclusive, quality education in Kenya. She stated, “UNESCO stands ready to continue to work with the government of Kenya, Huawei, and all other stakeholders.”

Huawei has been involved with the DigiSchool Connectivity Project since its inception, playing a significant role in the technical setup and project management. Following the successful first phase, which connected 13 schools and benefited 6,000 students and teachers, a recent evaluation revealed that 98% of learners found the Internet met their educational needs.

The project thus continues to play a crucial role in promoting digital inclusion and enhancing the educational experience for both special needs and general education students in Kenya.