Kenyan tech firm launches education solution for developing countries

BRCK Education, a division of BRCK, has today launched a value priced tablet that will be running web-based content and locally cached videos.

Dubbed ‘BRCK-Kio’, the tablet is one component of a game-changing portable kit, which is made up of 40 ruggedized BRCK Kio tablets; a BRCK, which is an internet connectivity device made for low infrastructure environments; wireless charging to reduce breakage, and a hardened, waterproof, lockable case for added security. The kit and everything inside it is ruggedized to be both dust and water resistant.

The easy to use, custom-made tablet is designed for use by standard 1 pupil’s in harsh environments across rural Kenya where electricity is intermittent. It can be used for 8 hours without power and is rugged enough to allow for occasional drops and spills.

Speaking at the official launch the BRCK Education and the unveiling of the BRCK-Kio and the BRCK-Kio kit, the division’s president Nivi Mukherjee said:

We are delighted to launch the Kio, which is a breakthrough solution that can run multimedia content and offers a lighter technology footprint with an intuitive interface designed for children. Through it, we are offering limitless opportunities to children who will be expose to educational information and knowledge that is beyond the four classroom walls. The BRCK-Kio will not only pique children’s curiosity to learn and understand more but also go beyond memorizing education content,”

Ms Mukherjee added that, “ the BRCK-Kio will transform the role of the teacher  from an instructor to a facilitator. We expect that this will have a powerful impact on the way education is delivered not only in Kenya but across Africa and other emerging markets.”

The BRCK Kio kit provides a “digital classroom in a box” model that connects any school within range of a mobile phone tower to the internet, as well as provides locally hosted content to the Kio tablets within each kit. The kit is a simple, effective solution which requires minimal training or technical knowledge to setup and use. There is a single plug used to charge the kit and one button to power on the entire system.

BRCK Education has entered into partnership with several international and local organizations such as Kenyatta University, Pearson, Intel-Education and e-Limu, know-zone, e-Kitabu in an effort to refine the experience of accessing digital content.

The BRCK Kio and BRCK Kio Kits will be available for retail in October 1st for schools and in January 2016 they will be retailing in stores. The devices will retail at US $5,000 and US $99 respectively.