Tech Startups Partner With Nairobi Schools to Introduce VR Learning Tools

Leading education technology startups in Nairobi have entered into partnerships with local schools to deliver immersive virtual reality (VR) learning experiences to students. The collaboration kicked off with a pilot programme by Ukwenza VR in conjunction with the private‑school network Brookhouse Schools, where students donned VR headsets to explore environments like the Nairobi River ecosystem and marine biology habitats—all from their classrooms. According to a report published by Nation Media Group, the initiative gives pupils a compelling, hands‑on experience that goes beyond books and traditional lectures.
The move builds on growing global interest in ed‑tech infused learning in Kenya. In Nairobi, the VR project is part of a wider effort to modernise teaching and learning by using immersive tools to engage students more deeply. Brookhouse’s Runda campus, for example, launched its metaverse‑based learning programme in 2022, enabling students to virtually dissect a heart or explore a rainforest in 3D. Tech analysts say that when properly integrated, VR can help students grasp complex concepts—such as anatomy, geography and environmental science—in a vivid, memorable way. However, they also warn that schools must ensure device access, teacher training and ongoing maintenance of VR equipment if the approach is to be sustainable.
Reactions from educators and students have been enthusiastic. One student described the experience as being inside the lesson rather than reading about it, while a teacher pointed out that student participation and curiosity soared once VR modules were introduced. But several stakeholders cautioned that without deliberate efforts to include under‑resourced schools—especially in informal settlements—the innovation may widen the digital divide. Infrastructure, teacher capacity and device equity remain major considerations.
Looking ahead, the startups and schools involved plan to expand the programme city‑wide in Nairobi by 2026. The next phase includes integrating VR units into government‑supported pilot schools, training more teachers in immersive‑tech pedagogy, and developing curriculum‑aligned VR content in Swahili and other Kenyan contexts. If scaled equitably and supported with proper infrastructure, the initiative could transform Nairobi’s STEM‑focussed classrooms and position the city as a leader in immersive education across East Africa.