British Council, Airtel target 500,000 learners through digital hubs located in nine Sub-Saharan Africa States

Students learn how to use computer. The partnership aims to change the way students and teachers access learning and training.

NAIROBI, KENYA: Over half a million teachers and learners in nine countries in Sub-Saharan Africa would benefit from increased access to digital education resources in their schools, thanks to a new innovative programme.

British Council and Bharti Airtel have joined forces to maximise the learning benefits of Airtel’s wider broadband connectivity of 5GB per month in a three year deal for 127 digital hubs in schools across nine countries in the region.

In Kenya, the programme dubbed “Badiliko” (change in Swahili) aims to change the way students and teachers access learning and training.

Already, 100, 000 students and 20, 000 teachers across Kenya have benefitted from the digital hubs since their launch late last year.

SCHOOL LEARNING

“The Badiliko project adds the momentum on the current Government plans to digitise school learning in Kenya,” says Airtel Kenya CEO Adil El Youssefi. “The partnership with Airtel provided full internet connectivity to British Council hubs, surrounding schools and communities,” he adds.

“With the hub we have been able to reduce the amount of time we spend on lesson planning. With full connectivity now, the teachers and students can now interact with others around the world, thus making them global citizens,” says Giden Wasike Head Teacher at Kilimani Primary School in Nairobi.

British Council Country Director for Kenya Tony Reilly said the latest partnership initiative with Bharti Airtel demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to improving access to a high-quality teaching and learning in Africa.