The people whom they serve lead a nomadic life. They are here today but the next day they might be gone. A static library would be of no use to nomads and so instead the clerks follow them, wherever they go.
The Camel Mobile Library was set up by the government-owned Kenya National Library Service to improve literacy rates in the north-east. The library has 9 camels which work in 3 separate groups and serves 3,500 registered members. The library has its headquarters in Garissa and Wajir. The group travels regularly to 12 different sites which are within a 11 KM radius.
Challenges to camel libraries;
+Each child is allowed to borrow two books.
+The library takes too long before they return to the same center
+There is a lack of monitoring of progress the children make
+No formal assessment for learning can be carried out
+The libraries are manned by semi-qualified teachers
A case for Tablet computers
CODE is working with other stakeholders to facilitate the integration of emerging technologies and other alternative interventions in the provision of education in nomadic areas.
CODE and partners have designed a data Suite called Online tutor.
This suite is usually installed in tablets and given out to students and schools in nomadic areas. This suite allows the learners to access all resources-streamed lessons, videos, lesson notes and assessment banks without internet connection.
Students can also download any documents and lessons from the app and access them at home on any device. This works by transferring data to other devices, maximising sharing and increasing access.
This is particularly helpful for mobile schools that have to follow up with families that constantly migrate in search of water and pasture for their animals.
For this learning project to be more effective and formal, CODE hopes to supply the following tools to these community centers;
1. Tablet computers
2. Solar chargers
3. Online teachers to support the learners
4. WIFI
5. Printed materials (worksheets, tests and past papers)
6. Offline line digital learning materials built on the tablets