Kepsha, Kurasa Africa partner to equip teachers with digital skills

Kepsha Chairman Johnson Nzioka. [File, Standard]

Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (Kepsha) and Kurasa Africa have partnered to support teachers in public schools to acquire digital skills.

The Kurasa Africa platform offers robust and comprehensive digital tools designed to empower teachers, inspire learners and also address their challenges.

In the programme, schools will receive technical and advisory resources, mentorship, courses on the science of learning, and access to a global network to help scale their impact.

Kepsha Chairman Johnson Nzioka announced that the partnership will inject fresh impetus into learning and school administration and is aimed at empowering teachers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Nairobi on July 12, Nzioka noted that the collaboration marks a transformative journey for the education sector, enabling teachers to monitor teaching and learning remotely.

"It is through education that we have strengthened and built nations. However, the educational landscape is rapidly changing, and it is imperative that we adapt to these changes to provide our learners with the best possible opportunities. This is where our partnership with Kurasa Africa comes in," said Nzioka.

He said to counter the challenges facing the implementation of CBC, the platform provides teachers with assessment and lesson-planning tools.

"This partnership will provide our teachers and school heads with cutting-edge digital resources that facilitate learner-centred education," Nzioka stated.

"The comprehensive management tools will streamline administrative systems, lesson planning, delivery, and assessment. Our educators will be well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of our learners," he added.

The Kepsha Chairman noted that the delivery of real-time performance tracking tools will ensure more effective monitoring and support of students, considering that they are managing primary and Junior secondary school’ learners.

"When teachers are supported with the right tools and resources, they can inspire and guide learners to reach their full potential. Our partnership with Kurasa embodies this belief as it seeks to enhance the capabilities of our teachers and, in turn, enrich the learning experience of students," he said.

Kurasa Africa CEO William Nguru said the partnership will offer a parent-facing product that enhances parental engagement by facilitating communication between parents and teachers about a child’s development.

“Kurasa we are focused on teachers and our support is to ensure teachers are doing what is expected of them in class. The interpretation of technology in the classroom alleviates their pains and this is going to support them being learner-centered,” Nguru said.

He explained that the comprehensive solution aims to improve the teaching and learning experience in education through innovative tools that enable more effective and efficient delivery of competency-based education.

“Teachers have a huge responsibility to ensure that outcomes are as we wish them to be and not as we have promised it. schools across the private sector and this is a new face where we are not going to leave any child behind,” said Nguru.

The Kurasa Africa CEO said the partnership will support startups leveraging technology to increase access to quality, relevant, and inclusive learning, particularly for young learners in underserved communities.

“We want to reach every child in the economy. This is a big win for the learner in public schools,” he said.

According to the recent survey conducted by Usawa Agenda, the quality of teachers is a crucial determinant of children's learning and well-being.

Dr Emmanuel Manyasa said transitioning from a poorly performing teacher to an excellent one can significantly boost student learning, equating to several years of additional schooling.

“Most of teachers are frequently overworked and under-supported. In Kenya, for instance, 62 percent of teachers struggle to identify students' learning gaps, with more than half finding themselves spending excessive time on assessment preparation and grading,” said Manyasa.

Dr Manyasa noted that half of teachers lack the time to provide effective feedback with an equal number spending classroom time on administrative tasks.

“Compounding this issue, the country is facing a shortage of 100,000 teachers which we don’t think will be bridged any time soon,” he said.