The government is planning to spend 15 billion shillings to install internet connection to public schools. This will enhance online learning in primary schools. ICT secretary Mucheru has revealed.
The money will be spent in putting the infrastructure such as building computer labs, connecting electricity to schools, purchasing tablets among other digital requirements for the projects.
Mr Joe Mucheru notified Parliament that at least a thousand schools have been identified for the Unicef co-funded project that will kick off in September
In the piloting stage, twenty four thousand primary schools will be connected to electricity as promised by the Jubilee government plan that started by issuing laptops to learning institutions.
He said the project is meant to educate public school children from poor background on how to opera3compuer using network from a young age just like their colleagues in private institutions.
Among the selected one thousand schools, only one school will benefit from each ward. In the first phase the government spent Sh.32,241,000 in buying laptops for kids in grade 1 to 3.
Mr Joe noted KSh61 bilion more is needed for the roll-out of the 2nd phase that aims grade 4 to six primary schools pupils in 470 government primary schools. He said that the assembling of these devices will be done locally by Moi University and JKUAT.
However, much criticism have emerged from the inner part of stakeholders in education sector, who in turn wants the state to construct computer laboratories across the country instead of issuing each learner a tablet.
Since the beginning of this project in 2016 March, poor electricity connection has always been a hindrance. Computer illiteracy and classer that are dilapidated have slowed down the project. Mr Mucheru said that the ICT department has shifted to solar power to enhance energy connectivity in rural areas.
