eKitabu, organizer of the Digital Essay Competition and leader in delivering accessible digital content for inclusive and quality education in Kenya, today announced winners of the 8th annual Digital Essay Competition (DEC).
Considering the coronavirus pandemic that saw all schools closed and all children at home since March this year, students submitted essays and art online at essay.ekitabu.com to answer the 2020 question: “How is technology helping you, your family, and your community during the coronavirus pandemic?” Submission categories were Kiswahili, English, French, Art, Braille, Kenyan Sign Language (KSL), and German for all students in upper primary and secondary levels in Kenyan education, including all students from mainstream and special needs schools, public and private, countrywide. Will Clurman, CEO of eKitabu, noted, “All means all.”
In KSL, Ruth Amondi of Maseno School for the Deaf in Kisumu and Neci Akoth of Nina School for the Deaf in Siaya emerged Grand Prize winner and 1st runner-up respectively.
In Kiswahili, John Mark Nyongai of Thika High School For the Blind in Kiambu; Ann Gakii of Munithu Secondary School in Meru; and Maryanne Anyango Odongo of Aluor Mixed Primary in Siaya came top as Grand Prize winners.
In English, Sherlin Maggy Anyango of East Park Academy in Nairobi; Humphrey Nyongesa of Starehe Boys Centre and School in Nairobi; Saul Opiyo Otieno of St. Oda School for the Visually Impaired in Siaya; and Emmanuel Kirui of Thika High School for the Blind in Kiambu came top as Grand Prize winners.
In Art, Munira Abdullahi of Samburu; Njuguna Jane Njeri of The Kenya High School in Nairobi; Ezekiel Boaz of Ebukuya School for the Hearing Impaired in Vihiga; and John Mark Nyongai of Thika High School for the Blind in Kiambuare the Art Grand Prize winners.
In French, Reinnis Akinyi Vester of St. Francis Rang’ala Girls High School in Siaya and Elvis Aduwa of Starehe Boys Centre and School in Nairobi emerged Grand Prize winners for French.
In German, Jude Wairiuko of Maranda High School in Kilifi and Bryton Omari of Njiri School in Murang’a emerged Grand Prize winners for German.
In English braille, John Owino of Kibos School for the Blind in Kisumu came top as Grand Prize winner.
Mr. Fred Haga, Ministry of Education Director of Special Needs Education, said: “I’m happy to be associated with the eKitabu Digital Essay Competition because it is a very important event and the Competition provides the opportunity for learners with Hearing and Visual Impairment to participate alongside other learners in this essay competition. I’ve been very pleased with the standards and quality of the Competition, and I’m confident that this year the standards may even surpass what they have been in past years.” Director Haga was also the Keynote Speaker at the award ceremony.
Digital Essay Competition is free and open to all public and private, primary and secondary, mainstream and special needs schools in Kenya. It was open from April to August 2020. The Competition seeks to advance education through utilization of technology with teachers, learners, parents, and caregivers.
Marking is done by a panel of judges that comprises competent teachers with wide experience in marking language subjects for Kenya Primary and Secondary examinations; distinguished leaders from Kenya’s publishing industry; and leaders from public and private sector including Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and University of Nairobi. The judges first determine the top 15 essays per category before selecting winners.
This year’s major sponsors were The Embassy of France in Kenya, Moran Publishers EA, and Pearson. To implement the Competition, eKitabu collaborates with partners including the Kenya Ministry of Education and MOE Directorate of Special Needs Education (DSNE), Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Goethe-Institut Kenya, Kenya Institute for the Blind (KIB), Kenya Association of Teachers of French (KATF), Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA), Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA), Kenya Publishers Association (KPA), Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), Education Development Trust (EDT), and the University of Nairobi.
