Electronic and distance learning in Kenya's universities is on the increase. In some campuses, the number of students enrolled under distance learning has already surpassed those in on-campus programmes, especially for the Education and Commerce degree courses.

Experts in matters educational argue that electronic learning (e-learning) will shift focus from the teacher to the learner. They say that this will make students engage in more meaningful learning and discover things on their own. On Thursday, the Kenya School of Professional Studies (KSPS â€" Inoorero University) joined the list when it rolled out its first e-learning and distance programmes in Archives and Records Management.

Under the plan, students will enrol, conduct their studies and write their exams online. Thus the computer becomes a powerful gadget â€" the â€Å"windowâ€Â� through which knowledge is disseminated to the learners.

In a study by Dr Guantai Mboroki, a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi, electronic and distance learning was proving to be a more effective and efficient method. He notes that students enrolled under the distance programmes performed better than on-campus students.

At Kenyatta University, vice-chancellor Olive Mugenda says the move is meant to bridge the digital divide among people of different nationalities and cultures. â€Å"This way, we are giving them equal opportunities to access and share information regardless of their geographical location or time difference,â€Â� Prof Mugenda said.

Currently, KU offers 300 online courses in which at least 6,000 students enrol every semester. â€Å"The importance of computers cannot be underestimated when it comes to accessing online scholarly researches,â€Â� Prof Mugenda noted. Other public universities, including Moi, Jomo Kenyatta and Egerton, have also followed suit.