Challenges of implementing e-learning in EA

The digital revolution has had a positive impact on the education sector in Eastern African nations, but the implementation of e-learning projects faces significant challenges. One of the key issues is the high cost of internet access and the low penetration levels of smart devices in the region. Karun Kandoi, the Global Business President at Extramarks Education, shared his insights on these challenges and the efforts being made to overcome them. Kandoi emphasized that while internet penetration is still relatively low in Africa, the growth trend is promising and can greatly benefit education. According to Kandoi, the digital revolution is just beginning to unfold, particularly in the field of education. Currently, mobile and internet connectivity penetration stands at around 20% across the continent. This growth trend presents an opportunity for educational advancement, but Kandoi noted that the education sector in East Africa is lagging behind in leveraging digital technologies. Extramarks Education is among the companies that are making significant investments to address this gap and ensure that the trend is reversed. Collaboration between the government and the private sector is crucial in driving the adoption of e-learning initiatives. Kandoi highlighted that Extramarks works closely with governments to align its curriculum and content with local educational requirements. By incorporating local references and socio-economic factors into their content, Extramarks aims to ensure that its digital learning solutions are relevant to students in different African countries. The company also provides experiential one-to-one digital learning that can reach learners in even the most remote areas. To address the challenge of internet penetration, Extramarks has developed solutions that can function both online and offline. This approach enables students and teachers to access educational resources even in areas with limited connectivity. Despite variations in internet penetration rates across countries in East Africa, Extramarks is committed to ensuring that all learners have access to quality education regardless of their access to the internet. In addition to collaborating with governments, Extramarks has partnered with telecommunications companies like Telkom South Africa and Liquid Telecom to expand the reach of their e-learning products. Some schools, both public and private, have also joined forces with parents' associations and teachers' associations to fund and implement digital learning projects in their institutions. These partnerships and initiatives aim to bridge the digital divide and enhance the quality of education in East Africa. While internet penetration rates vary across countries, Extramarks remains focused on ensuring that its digital learning solutions are accessible to all learners. By offering offline capabilities, the company is working to overcome the challenges posed by limited internet access and device availability. As the digital revolution continues to unfold in East Africa, efforts by companies like Extramarks are essential in driving the transformation of the education sector and empowering students to thrive in the digital age.