From Forests to Classrooms: Mount Kenya Trust’s Digital Leap with the Junior Ranger Program.
- Maryanne Kuria
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
Mount Kenya Trust is proud to announce a transformative milestone in our conservation education journey—the launch of the Junior Ranger Program’s first Digital Classroom and the successful handover of this pilot initiative to Guara Primary School. This achievement marks a bold step in integrating conservation, technology, and education to empower the next generation of environmental stewards.
This was accomplished in close partnership with the Ministry of Education, whose guidance and endorsement have been instrumental in shaping and validating the program. Together, we are redefining how conservation education is delivered in schools in the Mount Kenya ecosystem.
Digitising Conservation Education with Kolibri
For the first time, the Junior Ranger Program (JRP) learning resources have been fully digitised and is now accessible to students through Kolibri—a powerful, open-source learning platform designed for low-connectivity environments & even offline use.
Through the platform, students can access interactive, multimedia-rich conservation content directly on their digital devices, breaking traditional barriers to learning.
The simplicity and flexibility of Kolibri have already inspired teachers, who are eager to upload additional subjects and tailor resources to meet curriculum needs. This approach not only enhances conservation education but also strengthens overall digital literacy and classroom engagement.
Building Future Conservation Leaders
Our vision is clear: to nurture a generation of digitally skilled, environmentally conscious leaders who care for and protect Mount Kenya’s rich biodiversity.
We are immensely proud of our Mount Kenya Trust education officers, who compiled and digitised JRP’s Conservation Education content from scratch—ensuring it is locally relevant, student-friendly, and aligned with learning outcomes. The excitement, curiosity, and confidence students displayed during the rollout reaffirm that we are on the right path.
A Foundation Built on Partnership
This digital leap builds on earlier investments in teachers’ capacity building, in which educators from Gwara Primary School were trained and certified as Trainers of Trainers (ToTs)—paving the way for the sustainable delivery of the Junior Ranger Program. Notably, JRP is a 2023 Earth-Ranger Tech Award winner, recognised for its innovation in conservation education.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors and supporters for believing in this mission and making it possible. Special thanks go to our partners—PACE Africa, iLearnAbout, The Elephant Queen, and Save the Elephants—for contributing additional learning resources to our platform, enriching the students’ experience and broadening the program’s reach.
Voices from the Classroom
The impact of this initiative is best reflected in the voices of those experiencing it firsthand:
“This is a dream come true. During my time in school, books were boring, with black-and-white pictures. Now, students can develop digital skills while learning in a fun, engaging way. We feel very proud teaching from here.” — Agnes, ICT Teacher, Guara Primary School
“Learning and teaching have been made easier. We are the first school in our area to have such infrastructure, and we are proud. I especially appreciate that I can teach my students remotely. Gone are the days of teachers going home full of chalk dust—students are eager and excited to use this valuable resource.” — Mary Kibisu, Head of Institution, Guara Primary School
“You have brought a remote learning methodology. Integrating ICT was once a challenge, but this program promotes 21st-century, learner-centred education and enhances Curriculum-Based Education (CBE). Learners are now exposed to core competencies such as self-efficacy.” — Madam Grace, Curriculum Supporting Officer-County Education Officer, Gakawa Zone.
“I am proud to be associated with this school. No other school in the zone has this infrastructure. Watching students navigate digital devices with ease shows us this is just the beginning. We are digital—and going far.” — Madam Joyce Kibera, Board Member, Guara Primary School.
"I am truly happy to see the milestones we have achieved since JRP's pilot project in 2022/2023. It has been a journey of continuous improvement, learning, taking guidance from schools, and exploring better ways to strengthen and support the program. What once began as an idea has now become a reality, and I am deeply grateful to have spearheaded a project that I hold so dearly to my heart." — Paxton Maina , Conservation Education Officer, Mount Kenya Trust .
What’s Next: Expanding Impact Beyond Conservation
With conservation education now successfully running in schools, Mount Kenya Trust is excited to announce the upcoming integration of our Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) curriculum onto the E-learning platform. This critical addition will help address the triple threats facing our region—teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and sexual and gender-based violence—through accessible, age-appropriate knowledge dissemination. By equipping young people with both environmental and life skills, we aim to foster healthier communities alongside a healthier Mount Kenya ecosystem.
A Legacy of Innovation and Hope
Thanks to the dedication of teachers, students, partners, and supporters, this initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Junior Ranger Program—one rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and long-term impact.
Together, we are building a legacy of stewardship and hope for the Mount Kenya Biosphere Reserve & UNESCO world heritage site—from forests to classrooms, and into the future.
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