“An E-Learning Approach to Secondary School Education”: E-Readiness Implications in Kenya

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has the potential to enhance access, quality, and effectiveness in education. This paper examines the E-readiness implication on the adoption of e-learning in secondary schools in Kenya. The paper provides an opportunity for reflection on e-learning adoption and the potential role ICT can plays in education. The review has established that up to date, less than 10% of secondary schools in Kenya offer computer studies as a subject in the curriculum despite its perceived potential. The few schools that have an ICT programme limit the number of candidates who take up the subject considering it a specialty irrespective its being an essential subject as other compulsory subjects like Mathematics and Languages. Whereas the processing of information to build knowledge is one of the essential literacy skills vital for the workforce in the 21st century, it is often overlooked in current educational practices. the question of e-readiness of Kenyan schools cannot be overlooked if Kenya plans to use education as a platform for becoming an e-society of the 21^st century as envisaged in Vision 2030.Therefore, it is imperative that E-Readiness issues be effectively addressed lest new technology  introduced further marginalizes the already deprived Kenyan children. Desktop review of relevant literature was guided by Current Situation Analysis (CSA) which is equivalent to Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis.

Keywords: E-Learning, E-Readiness, Secondary school, Education, Infrastructure, Internet