By Moses Ndungu
Online education has become one of
the of the most popular higher education alternatives. The continuously
improving reputation of online learning has also helped fuel its expansion.
Many people now opt for online study due to other commitments.
James Mwai, a youth residing in
Sipili town in Laikipia County had always wanted to undertake an online study
but he never got an opportunity to pursue one. In 2013, he was at Ng’arua
Maarifa Centre in Ol-Moran Ward accessing the internet when the field officer
informed him about a model of education referred to as ALISON.
He learned that it was possible to
undertake the course at the Maarifa Centre without incurring any cost. After
researching about the institution, he learned that since its launch in April
2007, it has developed relationships with some of the largest and most
prestigious institutions involved in promoting education and learning. The
institution also enjoys a global reputation for delivering quality education
and training online.
He decided to sign up for Diploma in
Business Management and Entrepreneurship. He also signed up for Diploma in Carpentry. The
online studies have been made possible with the believe that all certifiable or
standards-based learning for every subject can be made available free
online.
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| Mwai accessing information at the Maarifa Centre |
ALISON’s
mission is to enable anyone, anywhere, to educate themselves for free via
interactive multimedia courseware for certification and standards-based
learning. It is believed that through ALISON, the cost of access to
high-quality education can be removed, thereby creating a more equitable and
sustainable global society.
“When I cleared high school I did not
see any hope for higher education due to financial constraints at home. The
online study provided me with an avenue to further my education. I am not only able to use free internet at
the Maarifa for long duration when studying but the Maarifa staff usually even
print for me my course work,” said Mwai.
Mwai noted that using the ALISON
online platform dashboard is easy. Through the dashboard, a student is able to
see the number of course undertaken, the cumulative points attained, and the
average percentage of the covered coursework.
He has so far covered 79.6 percent of
the course work and attained 29 points in Business Management and
Entrepreneurship. He has also covered 60 percent of the course work in Diploma
in Carpentry and attained 19 points.
He noted that in the event a student
of ALISON has received the Certificate of merit prior to completion of the
studies, the Kenya National Examinations council (KNEC) could also equalize
such certificates with Kenya Certification System.
“It is my hope that by the end of
this year, I will receive my two Diploma certificates. I have not only learned
that online study is possible but I am a testament of that,” said Mwai.
Established in 2007 by the Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), the
Maarifa Centre has been offering free services that include; Library services,
E-government services, multimedia content, internet access, citizen journalism
training, ICT training, advisory services, publications like Baobab, Joto Afrika, and Laikipia Mali Asili, as
well as Sokopepe.
ALIN realized that many rural
communities lack the skills to tap into the potential Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) field hence it has focused in the development of
ICT resources at the Maarifa Centre. This empowers people to use technology to
promote community development and bring services such as e-learning closer to
the people.
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