Effective Utilization of Computers and other ICTs in the Management and Delivery of Education in Kenya: Status and Unexploited Opportunities

Abstract

Research has shown that use of information, communication technologies (ICTs) in education improves education standards in a country. Several countries including Rwanda, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia have embraced computers and other ICTs in education. However in Kenya, the use of ICTs has generally been embraced only in higher education despite several initiatives by the government including the development of ICTs in education policy, the computer for schools project and the Jubilee government’s laptop project among other initiatives. Even in higher education, as of now, Kenyatta University is the only university utilizing ICTs to deliver its education programs through the E-learning platform in the newly established Digital School. This paper discusses the possible causes of the slow pace of adoption of ICTs in education in Kenya and makes suggestions on how the integration of ICTs at all levels of education for both management and education delivery purposes can be achieved.