The Kenyan government has launched an ICT programme in rural schools in an effort to facilitate easy learning of ICTs, enhance competitiveness in the job market and meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on education.
The programme involves funding ICT gadget installation in secondary schools across Kenya.
Samia District is one area that will receive funding. District Education Officer (DEO) Michael Mugawo told Africa Science News that five schools in the district have received funding for programme rollout, with three more hoping to receive it soon.
“The government of Kenya is committed and determined to equip most of schools in Samia District with ICT facilities,” he said. The cost of rolling out ICT departments in the district’s schools cost the government KSh1.9 million (US$22,300) across two phases.
Mugawo called on students benefitting from the programme to make good use of the new facilities in order to enhance their chances of getting ICT jobs in the future. Thousands of tech jobs are expected to open up in Kenya in the next few years.
Mark Oseno, Chief Executive Secretary of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in Busia agreed that the programme would be hugely beneficial to young people in the district once they entered the job market.
He did, however, say that tech knowledge should go hand in hand with other subjects, further boosting competitiveness. He also urged those running the scheme to handle its properly, noting the challenges involved. These include correct usage of then funds, the programme’s sustainability and the proper provision of infrastructure and ICT experts.
“The government has trained at least two teachers from every beneficiary schools to spearhead the learning,” he told ASN.
