Virtual Learning Made Fun and Easy

Buckner Kenya echoes sentiments by former South African President, Nelson Mandela, that “Education is the only weapon that can be used to transform the world,” Just as the Not for profit organization looks forward to transforming lives and building strong families, the education sector has been made fun and easy, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the closure of schools in the country, in March this year.

Thousands of pupils schooling in different Buckner schools at Hope Buckner Community School in Bungoma, Mudoma ECDE in Busia, Baptist Preparatory School in Nairobi, Seed of Hope Academy in Kitale, and Reynolds Community school in Cherangany have received equal access to learning materials, through various social media platforms.

The learners, interact freely with their teachers, through text messages, phone calls and videos shared on WhatsApp. The fact that most people living in these areas live below the poverty line leaves many students in limbo, especially those whose parents cannot afford smartphones, however, Buckner Kenya has encouraged the practice of sharing gadgets, to ensure that all learners gain access to learning materials as well as submit assignments online.

“All our learners have gone through virtual training, during this pandemic, to ensure that most of them are up to date, as well as reduce chances of engaging in misleading acts, now that most children are at home, and as you all know, an idle mind is the devil's workshop. They receive assignments through social media platforms and interact with their teachers, online. A move that has enabled us to cover the better part of our syllabus.” Said Henry, headteacher at Hope Buckner Community School in Bungoma.

The grade eight learners at all the schools sat for Buckner Kenya schools’ exams, with most of the learners, posting excellent results in Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Science, and Social Studies.

Buckner Kenya provides access to quality affordable education, to most children from vulnerable families across the country.

The rising number of COVID-19 cases in Kenya has left most learners in limbo, with those expected to seat for their national examination this year, being the most affected, since the schools have been shut down for the better part of the year.

A report submitted to the Ministry of Health however reveals light at the end of the tunnel, as the grade eight candidates are likely to report to school in October this year, and seat for their national examination in April next year.