NAIROBI, Kenya — Satellite internet provider Starlink has connected 30 schools in remote parts of Kenya to high-speed internet, providing digital access to more than 32,000 students and 1,000 teachers.
The initiative, announced by Starlink on Monday, was implemented in partnership with Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), a national institution under Kenya’s Ministry of Education, and education technology partner Grow X Education.
According to Starlink, the schools began receiving internet connectivity at the start of the 2026 academic year, marking the first time many of the institutions had access to stable broadband services.
Bridging Kenya’s Digital Divide
The project targets schools located in underserved and remote areas where traditional internet infrastructure remains limited or unavailable.
Starlink noted that the lack of reliable connectivity continues to be one of the biggest barriers to technology integration in education across many developing countries.
The company said CEMASTEA coordinated the distribution of internet terminals across 30 districts to ensure broad geographic coverage rather than concentrating resources in a few regions.
The programme forms part of wider efforts to support digital learning under Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which emphasizes technology integration, critical thinking, and practical learning experiences.
Early Impact on Teaching and Learning
According to data released by the partners, the availability of stable internet access has already led to significant changes in classroom practices.
The proportion of teachers regularly using digital tools reportedly increased from 57 pc before connectivity to 82 pc after installation of the Starlink systems.
Schools also reported greater use of digital assessments, online learning resources, and data-driven teaching approaches.
Student engagement similarly improved, with 89 pc of learners reportedly showing high or very high interest in ICT-integrated lessons, compared to 57 pc before internet connectivity was introduced.
The programme’s partners attributed the gains to easier access to educational content, digital collaboration tools, and online research resources.
Supporting CBC Implementation
Grow X Education said the connectivity initiative will also support the deployment of digital learning platforms designed to strengthen social-emotional learning, resilience, and critical thinking among students.
The organisation has worked with CEMASTEA over the past two years to support the implementation of Kenya’s CBC reforms, including training teachers on integrating social-emotional learning into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
Education stakeholders involved in the project said reliable internet access is increasingly becoming a foundational requirement for modern learning.
Expansion Plans Underway
Following what the partners described as encouraging early results, discussions are underway to expand the initiative to additional schools and regions across Kenya.
Starlink said broader deployment could help reduce educational inequalities by ensuring learners in remote communities have access to the same digital resources available in urban centres.
The company also indicated that similar programmes are being explored in other parts of the Global South, including collaborations with educational institutions in Asia.