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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: KENYA MOBILE SOLAR LABORATORIES
HEADLINE: State Production Unit Making Cheaper Labs for schools in Kenya
TEASER: Permanent laboratories cost up to USD 20,000
PUBLISHED AT: 02/14/2024 at 8am
BYLINE: Victoria Amunga
CONTRIBUTOR: None
DATELINE: Nairobi
VIDEOGRAPHER: Jimmy Makhulo
VIDEO EDITOR: Jimmy Makhulo
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Purnell Murdock
SCRIPT EDITORS: sb; caw
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:56
VID APPROVED BY:wpm
TYPE: TVR OKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[A Kenyan government agency is helping students from low-income families access laboratories for science classes. The producer is making solar-powered mobile laboratories that are cheaper than building permanent facilities. Victoria Amunga reports from Nairobi.]]
((NARRATOR))
Paul Githaiga ((pron: gith-ah-ee-gah)) is a teacher at Kenya's Utawala ((pron: oo-tah-wah-lah)) Academy. For much of his career as a science teacher, he made do with theoretical lessons. Githaiga says setting up laboratories was out of reach for the school where he taught.
((Paul Githaiga, Utawala Academy Teacher, English 17 secs))
''Most of the items that were there, they were only found in books as diagrams, pictures and a teacher may not be able even to demonstrate and show that this is what is being taught in the course book. ''
((NARRATOR))
But the introduction of this mobile laboratory stirred up science lessons and student research projects.
((NARRATOR))
The labs are built from locally sourced materials like timber, are fitted with wheels for mobility and have solar power for users in schools with limited or no power supply.
Schools can purchase the labs for about $1,000. The manufacturer, School Equipment Production Unit, or SEPU, says that is a distinct difference from the nearly $20,000 it costs to construct and equip a permanent laboratory. Students like John Mokaya ((pron: mok-eye-yah)) are often shut out.
((John Mokaya Student English 11 secs)
''I get to understand many things of which in Grade 7 we used just to see them from the book. But now we have the real experience of how everything works and due to that we can be great people in the future.”
((NARRATOR))
SEPU says they are easily adaptable as they are made in Kenya. CEO Joel Mabonga ((pron: mah-bong-ah)) told VOA they are designed with understanding of the local teacher, unlike imports.
((Joel Mabonga, School Equipment Production Unit CEO)) English 19 secs
''It understands the teacher training of a Kenyan, unlike if we got an innovation from outside, which we need to come and adapt for the local environment. This is a solution that is born from within and therefore it's going to spur more thinking. And we are even thinking of other ways that we are going to improve it.”
((NARRATOR))
Over 500 mobile labs have been distributed to schools both in rural and urban areas. Schools can pay in installments and get a refill of chemicals needed periodically, sales manager Allan Weche (pron: (weh-chay)) says.
((Allan Weche, SEPU Sales Manager, English 18 secs))
''The mobile laboratory comes with accompaniments such as the microscope, assorted chemicals to be able to support the teacher and the learner to be able to do various experiments. We've also got assorted glassware. In terms of safety measures, it's also supplied with a fire extinguisher.”
((NARRATOR))
Education costs are the most commonly reported financial worry in Kenya and nearly a dozen other sub-Saharan countries, according to the World Bank.
But with such innovations, authorities believe that those worries can be lessened.
Victoria Amunga, VOA News, Nairobi.
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Nairobi
BylineVictoria Amunga
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
