Oloo, Elizabeth AkinyiMutsotso, Stanley Ngome2026-04-162026-04-162019-05-16Oloo, E. A. & Mutsotso, S. N. (2019). History of Educational radio in Kenyan Schools: An Analysis of Prospects and Challenges. British International Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 6(5), pp. 1-8.3342 –543X4519 –6511http://erepository.kibu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/11544Journal ArticleThe radio is a powerful audio aid and an important media for education. It is one of the most effective means of imparting education to a large number of people. The work of scientists such as Nikola Tesla, Guglielmo Marconi, Lee De Forest and others are credited with all forms of radio broadcasting which started in the late 1800s. in the early days the radio was mainly used by the military during the first and second world wars. This paper traces the historical development and evolution of radio. It also examines global success stories of use of educational radio and focuses on Kenya’s experience highlighting the legal framework, the prospects and challenges. The history of educational radio has been dynamic due to growth and development in educational thinking and the technological environment. The U.S., Canada and Australia had a strong background in implementing educational radio broadcasts in the 1920s and 1930s, which were referred to as Schools of the Air. The Interactive Radio Instructions (IRI)adopted a conversation technique between the radio teacher and the students unlike the conventional radio broadcast. This format, however, remains limited in its interactivity and is teacher-centred. In studies conducted all over the world, in both developing and developed countries has demonstrated that when radio is used as a supplementary tool, it benefits weaker students. IRI projects were funded by USAID in developing countries including Nicaragua, Bolivia, Kenya and Lesotho. The history of instructional radio in Kenya dates back to 1963. The Ominde Commission acknowledged the significance of the school radio as a valuable teaching aid. Radio has proven educational worth in terms of pedagogical importance and geographical reach. Up to 1992 school broadcasts were on air through the Voice of Kenya (VoK) which later became Kenya Broadcasting Corporation(KBC) which airs the radio programmes to date. The Kenya government funds the radio broadcasts to schools through Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development under Media and Extension Services to schools. Many schools in Kenya do not make use of the educational radio and many teachers and learners are not aware of the existence of educational radio. The radio is here to stay despite recurrent innovations and scientific breakthroughs.enEducational RadioRadio BroadcastsInteractive Radio InstructionArticle