Elearning in the East African region is beginning to gather pace, with Kenya leading with several developments. This were revealed this week in a two day conference organised by Smoothtel and East Africa ICT Exhibitions and Conferences. Several organizations including the Teachers Service Commission(TSC) presented progress in the implementation of ICT in their organizations, including Elearning. As an indication of the pace of elearning in Kenya, TSC announced that a United Nations Agency had nominated Kenya as a sub regional elearning center of excellence for the Eastern and Central Africa region. This were announced by Simon Kavisi who was representing TSC's secretary. In addition, Kavisi said that Kenya was facing a shortfall of 61,819 in both Primary and Secondary schools, and that the commission was looking at ICT to bridge this shortfall. "If teachers equipped with ICT skills, fewer teachers can be used to dispense knowledge," said Kavisi.Truant students have also been found to record a high attendance in classes involving ICT aspects. According to Kavisi, it had been found that ICT classes commanded higher attendance compared with other classes. He attributed this to boredom of students in the traditional classes and teaching methods.

TSC was also undertaking ICT reforms in its administration structure in an effort to improve efficiency and also be more convenient to its members. This includes distribution of computers to 50 districts. Through the ICT board, TSC has engaged a consultant who will advise on how to connect to the 47 newly created counties between now and 30th June 2011.  The aim of the digitisation is to aid in capturing of data online and relaying it to the headquarters.
Kavisi also highlighted the development of TSC education portal which is a forum for collaborating and sharing between teachers. The portal has also been developed in partnership with the ICT board. Kavisi also said that TSC was committed in educating principals and school heads on automation.