Gvt needs sh64 billion to implement second phase of school digital literacy programme

The government needs Sh64 billion for implementation of the second phase of the digital literacy programme, the ICT Authority has revealed.

The second phase will complement the initial phase that led to the distribution of 1,169,000 tablets to 21,638 public primary schools countrywide.

The authority says a monitoring and evaluation study between May and June 2019 in 15 counties showed a usage and utilisation of 64.67 per cent at that time, although some stakeholders reject this.

President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) in 2016.

The ICT Authority was then tasked to implement it on behalf of the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs. 

The objective of DLP is to integrate ICT into formal education as spelt out in the Competency-Based Curriculum.

Tablets distributed in Phase I were intended to serve early learners in grades 1 to 3 in a ‘learn to use’ methodology. The second phase will involve the use of modern computer labs and is themed ‘Using to Learn’. It will target those in grades 1 to 6.

“These computer laboratories will promote collaborative learning in schools where grade 4 to 6 learners will be exposed to technological tools for learning to enhance creativity and innovation,” a communique from the authority reads.

The devices are used to enhance learning in all subjects. According to the authority, implementation will be facilitated by power connectivity.

“There are 22,258 public primary schools that have power connections. Of these, 3,239 have been provided with a solar energy solution,” the communique reads.

About 91,000 teachers were trained in how to use the new technology for teaching and learning, according to the authority’s data.

The devices are produced by the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Moi University.