June 5th, 2025. DBDON Office. The first quarter of 2025 marked a promising start for the ProFuturo digital literacy program in Kenya, bringing renewed energy to classrooms and teachers alike. With schools reopening on January 6th after the December holidays, educators and learners returned eager to embrace technology-enhanced learning.
A highlight of the quarter was the successful delivery of the Pedagogue.21 teachers’ training, held from March 4th to 6th in Nairobi. This training empowered teachers with hands-on digital tools and strategies to engage their learners more effectively. Every participating school sent at least one teacher, and the interactive approach boosted teacher confidence in using digital resources across different subjects.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Sahaya G. Selvam, Director of DBDON, noted that this training set the tone for the year:
“Equipping teachers with the skills and confidence to integrate technology is at the heart of transforming education. It is not just about devices, but about inspiring educators to engage their students in meaningful ways.”
By the end of the quarter, ProFuturo had engaged all 30 partner schools, achieving 100% of its annual target. Teachers showed strong participation, with 191 of the targeted 322 educators actively running digital lessons — a solid start given the usual adjustments to new school timetables. Students also began participating in large numbers, with 3,211 learners joining digital classes, laying the foundation for continued growth.
To support these efforts, the program distributed headphones to all participating schools in Nairobi, addressing challenges of sound clarity during digital lessons. Teachers and students alike welcomed this improvement, which made digital sessions more effective and enjoyable.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Selvam emphasized that small but thoughtful interventions — like headphones — can have a profound impact:
“When learners can clearly hear and engage with digital lessons, their learning experience is enhanced, and their motivation grows.”
In addition to face-to-face support, ProFuturo coaches provided ongoing virtual accompaniment, ensuring that teachers felt supported in their journey. A WhatsApp forum created after the March training also allowed educators to share tips, challenges, and solutions with one another — fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
While some challenges remain, such as staff rotations, the program’s operational team has taken steps to address this issue. Plans for Term 2 include targeted onboarding of newly posted teachers, continued device maintenance, and support for schools to embed digital literacy sessions firmly into their schedules.
As Fr. Selvam reminds us that Education is a journey we walk together. It is through collaboration and accompaniment that we make a lasting difference in the lives of our learners.
