Airtel’s big plans to offer free internet to schools in Kenya

Airtel in partnership with Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK) has launched a free-internet for schools programme which targets to reach at least one million Kenyan learners countrywide. The programme aims at offering internet access to schools to allow them access meaningful information that will help in
their studies.

The partnership, launched at Aquinas Boys High School in Nairobi today, will see 30 schools in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kiambu, Garissa, Kisumu and Uasin Gishu counties receive free internet connectivity from Airtel. The package entails 8GB free monthly internet refreshed every month and a free router.

Internet access for students

Computers For Schools Kenya donated five computers to Aquinas High School while Airtel donated routers to the various schools represented at the event. Airtel Kenya CEO Prasanta Das Sarma, in a speech read by  Legal and Regulatory Affairs Manger Joy Nyaga, said the move will enhance learning.

“In the education sector, internet use and adaptation to the rapidly emerging technological advancements cannot be overlooked. Therefore as a company, we deem it fit to ensure that students all over the country gain access to the Internet and thus be able to glean from the numerous benefits and learning tools that come with it,” noted the CEO.

Free internet for schools was started in 2014, and so far 250,000 learners in more than 300 schools have benefited from the programme that runs across the country in 33 counties, according to statistics from the mobile service provider.

See Also >> The Kenyan Barclays poached from New York to head strategy

CFSK was established in 2002 with an aim of finding ways to bridge Information Technology gap in the education sector. “The initial plans saw us train teachers and government officials in the provincial administration on the use of modern technology,” said the CFSK founding CEO, Dr Tom Musili.

CFSK has distributed more than 360,000 computers to more than 10,000 schools and are banking on the support from the county governments to spread their wings wider to reach more schools especially those with few or no ICT facilities.

[crp]