AI tool seeks to transform the education sector
Education
By
Okumu Modachi
| Apr 09, 2026
The challenges plaguing the education sector in the country may soon be a thing of the past if the government and schools adopt a new technology that seeks to address the
issues, a data scientist argues.
In the recent past, the Ministry of Education has been riddled with corruption allegations emanating from 'ghost' learners and schools that have gobbled billions of taxpayers money.According to the Ministry of Education, taxpayers have been losing about Sh5 billion annually due to inaccurate school's enrolment data.The discrepancies have raised concerns among Kenyans, with stakeholders observing that the situation is exacerbated by "cartels." At the same time, grade 10 learners in the new Competency Based Education system, are faced with shortage of teachers, exposing gaps in the implementation of the curriculum.
Availability of learning textbooks have also been highlighted as a major concern in the sector, a challenge that now threatens the full rollout of the CBE programme. These challenges, Pius Odhiambo who is a US-based Kenyan data scientist, says would come to an end if the government implements a technology-driven solution under an application dubbed Kiswate.
READ MORE
Return of the bitter pill: Kenya softens IMF stance as Iran shock bites
Court clears way for Sh619 billion EABL shares sale
JKUAT to assemble 3,000 computers for digital hubs countrywide
Jubilee Holdings profit jumps 18 per cent on increased revenue
Why data privacy matters for Kenyan enterprises
African electric vehicle firm bets on innovation with US stock listing
How green certification is driving regional demand for warehouses
CBK cuts Kenya growth forecast to 5.3pc on Iran war disruption
Media houses miss out on millions as Ruto signs budget
Singaporean lodging firm to manage new hotel in Nairobi's Kilimani
At the core of the innovation is the digitisation of the traditional class register, an administrative tool the Eng. Odhiambo argues, has long been overlooked despite its capability in school management.
"I did research for a period of 11 years in the United States. You need to digitise the class register," he said
"By transforming it into a digital platform, the system is designed to tackle five critical challenges facing Kenyan schools: teacher shortages, unplanned teacher absenteeism, high cost of textbooks, loss of public funds, and the rising cost of school operations," he added.
The digital register, he notes, seeks to monitor teacher attendance in real time, ensuring that school administrations and education authorities can track lesson delivery and intervene promptly when gaps arise. This level of transparency, he says, would not only improve teacher accountability but also ensure that students receive the full benefit of allocated instructional time.
The system utilizes the Smart ID based technology to streamline school functions. However, the developer will have to align with the legal and policy framework governing public basic education before its approval, according to MoE.
"Develop a comprehensive concept note outlining technical specifications, data governance safeguards, sustainability mechanisms without additional parental levies, and evidence of prior pilots where applicable,' the Ministry wrote to Kiswate in February, 2026. "Channel the proposal formally through the Directorate responsible for ICT Integration and Digital Learning for review in accordance with established procedures," the Ministry added.
Further, MoE requires the developer to ensure compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and relevant Public-Private Partnership regulations.