PTA chair John Masaba, Linda Waiganjo, head teacher Juma Nyamori, Dinah Kitoto and Bishop Philip Kitoto of Kenya Assemblies of God during Rusinga Schools’ Golden Jubilee Celebrations on March 22, 2024. /HANDOUT
As Kenya accelerates efforts in harnessing the power of homegrown digital platforms to drive inclusive development, a crop of schools are running individual races to complement the bold step by implementing strategies aimed at fostering creative learning to sustain the country’s digital economy.
The strategies are in alignment with the vision of Digital Platforms Kenya (DigiKen) initiative, a UN SDG joint programme supported by government to foster digital literacy, economic growth, job creation, and greater digital inclusion by 2030.
A visit to Rusinga Schools over the weekend revealed advanced plans by the institution to launch an innovation hub whose goal mirrors the ambitious DigiKen initiative.
Head teacher Juma Nyamori said the hub will serve as a catalyst for innovation by equipping students with skills in coding, programming and robotics, as well as host annual hackathons where young innovators from across the world will be invited to collaborate in solving contemporary challenges through technology.
Saturday’s announcement of the Rusinga Innovation Hub coincided with the school’s Golden Jubilee celebrations attended by former heads, parents, students, alumni, church partners, staff and the press.
“As we mark this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering innovation and equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in an evolving world,” he said while emphasising the need for continued investment in quality education in the country to meet the demands of future generations.
“The launch of the innovation hub reflects our dedication to preparing future leaders who will shape Kenya’s economy and contribute to global advancements,” he said.
Established in 1975, Rusinga Schools has been instrumental in advancing educational policy and advocacy in Kenya, including curriculum development and teacher training.
Data on the exact number of schools with innovation hubs in Kenya isn't readily available but the DigiKen initiative is running 15 Digital Innovation Hubs (DiHs) across the country to drive digital innovation and empower communities.
The initiative is managed by a consortium of UN agencies with UNESCO as the lead agency, working in close cooperation with the Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy, Kenya School of Government and the Directorate of Training and Human Capital Development among other partners.
The selected hubs will be engines of opportunity for entrepreneurs, young people, women and vulnerable communities to create and scale their own innovations and lead the digital transformation.
Among them is Africa Media Hub at Strathmore University Business School, Kijiji Connect ICT Hub in Tana River, Lake Hub in Kisumu, Isiolo Youth Innovation Centre and Pwani Teknowgalz in Mombasa county.
Nyamori said their upcoming hub will serve as a dedicated centre for technological exploration and STEM learning, building on the school’s partnership with government agencies like the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) in enhancing the quality of learning and shaping Kenya’s educational landscape, particularly in the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
“Excellence in education goes beyond academics - it is about shaping well-rounded individuals and actively contributing to the growth of the country’s education sector. Our alumni network is a testament to this legacy,” he said, alluding to a long list of graduates who have excelled in business, media, innovation and public service - some of who were recognised during the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Nyamori’s emphasis for continued investment in quality education to meet the demands of future generations was echoed by guest speaker, KAG Bishop Philip Kitoto, who said more initiatives to instill digital skills in the country’s young generation are long overdue.
“Kenya’s population tell us the story of over 62 per cent 18 years and under and that gives us a big challenge to see it’s just a drop in the ocean what Rusinga is doing but yet it’s a seed that can change the world. It is clear our future brains will face challenges that may impact the offering of education.”
While pointing out that inadequate infrastructure was causing disparities in education, Kitoto challenged other established schools to spread their wings and uplift underprivileged neighbourhoods, including giving teachers from such environs in opportunities to showcase their capabilities.
“Celebrating a legacy of building strong families and innovative excellent education should be the dream of everyone - whether parent, or teacher or those that offer education. From the onset, I believe that students, educators, parents and institutions like Rusinga must remain alert to the vices that will sidetrack the dream,” he said.
While quoting activist and former US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Kitoto said the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
“Begin to invest in innovative ways that will keep us on top in this ever changing landscape,” the bishop said, emphasising the need to put God at the center of it all.
