StarTimes, Kenyan curriculum developer partner to boost access to online learning

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development has entered into a partnership agreement with the StarTimes Kenya to provide access to interactive education content to learners in both primary and secondary levels in Kenya.

The institute is currently enhancing its coverage of the interactive radio and television lessons through various online platforms at a time when the country is battling with the spread and devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which led to temporary closure of schools.

Sara Ruto, the institute's council chairperson, welcomed the partnership engagement, acknowledging that the institute has enormous task that needs consolidated efforts to ensure that learning goes on and every child is benefitting from the process.

"The coronavirus pandemic has pointed out a new feature of digital learning, we need to embrace it for the sake of our children and together we will be able to grow. One of the core competencies in the competency based curriculum is learning to learn, this is an opportune moment to put it to practice with such key partners in enriching the future of learning," Ruto said.

Through the partnership, StarTimes Kenya will provide access to the institute's approved curriculum on their digital television platform including mobile application StarTimes ON as well as other self-produced television channels in making sure that students continue learning through the broadcaster's platforms.

"We have partnered with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to allow us carry approved education content on our platforms," Andy Wang, the chief executive officer of StarTimes said.

"Currently, we have ensured that EDU TV, the institute's education channel, is available through our set top boxes as a free to air channel and uploaded approved primary and secondary school curriculum on our StarTimes ON mobile application platform key in ensuring the majority of students have access to the education materials."

Joel Mabonga, the institute's acting chief executive officer, welcomed the move noting that the partnership will grow the number of platforms available to engage students who are learning at home with the content access on mobile application being a strategic option given the high mobile penetration in the county.

"We need to go out of our ways to make sure that learning continues even under the current coronavirus situation as we establish strategic partnerships that will help us achieve our mandate as an institute tasked with a national responsibility of developing curricula and curriculum support materials informed by research for all levels of education below the university," Mabonga said.

The partnership will bridge the gap in ensuring that learners complement radio and EDU TV education content with what is now available on StarTimes ON mobile application that is available on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Learners continue to follow the interactive online lessons at home tuning to Kenya Broadcasting Corporation English Service and Radio Taifa for radio programs and EDU TV channel and the Kenya Education Cloud for interactive lessons.