Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top
Provision of free laptops in primary schools is the flagship promise of president Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee government.

Kenya

We’ll rope in private sector in laptops outlay – Kaimenyi

Provision of free laptops in primary schools is the flagship promise of president Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee government.

Provision of free laptops in primary schools is the flagship promise of president Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee government.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 12 – The government is now seeking financial support from the private sector to fund the laptop project – a flagship of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

Addressing an ICT integration forum on Monday, the Cabinet Secretary for Education Jacob Kaimenyi said the project required a lot of funding.

“I am alive to the fact that integration of technology in the curriculum requires huge financial outlay which government alone is not able to provide,” he said.

“For this reason, we recognise the vital role of the private sector in complementing the government’s efforts in ICT infrastructure development. I take this opportunity to ask you to support the ministry in the implementation of this unique programme.”

Kaimenyi assured the country that the government enact policies to ensure the project is successful.

“Introduction of technology in our schools will provide an opportunity for our learners to compete with the world’s best. It should be noted that the world is changing fast and we are left with only one option; to keep up with the pace of change or be rendered obsolete,” said the CS.

He noted that this was a major step in realisation of Vision 2030.

“To transform this country into a middle income economy, we need to emphasise not only the teaching of computer studies as a subject in the curriculum as is the current norm in secondary education level, but more importantly the integration of ICT in the teaching and learning process,” he stated.

The Cabinet Secretary added, “there is no doubt that the use of ICT in schools has immense benefits which include; enhancing collaborative learning, creating interest and excitement among the learners, simplifying difficult and abstract concepts, acquisition of problem solving skills and enhancing of research among learners and teachers.”

“The laptop programme has enormous potential to enhance the quality of education as well as stimulate local industry investment in ICT infrastructure and thus the need for good will and mutual cooperation between all parties involved.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

He also revealed that there were no tenders awarded to provide laptops saying the process was going to be conducted in a professional and competitive manner.

“I assure the bidders that this process will be carried out professionally in conformity with the Public Procurement and Disposal Act,” he assured.

He said that ICT integration in curriculum was meant to address equity, access and quality of education offered.

Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Chief Executive Officer, Lydia Nzomo speaking in the forum assured the country that they had already prepared content to be used.

“If we want to go where we have promised ourselves, we must integrate ICT. We must do well despite challenges we are going to encounter; let’s look at the opportunities and avoid being detained in focusing to challenges,” she said.

She added that, “We need to implement this thing so well that the doubting person has nothing to say.”

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News