Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has confirmed that all Standard One pupils in public schools across the country will get digital devices before the end of this year.
Matiang’i said under the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), the government is fast-tracking the provision of laptops to the pupils before 2017 comes to an end saying the programme is aimed at integrating the use of digital technologies in learning.
In a speech read on his behalf by Rift Valley Education Regional Coordinator Mary Kathuri during the official opening of new Secondary Schools- Cheramor and Iraa Girls’ in Soin-Sigowet Constituency in Kericho County on Monday, the CS is upbeat the programme will become a success story.
“Information Communication and Technology is the way to go in the modern world and it is the only way the country can register great strides in development. We therefore, need to prepare young people for today’s realities,” the CS said.
He called on the learning institutions, parents and other education stakeholders to ensure the devices are stored in secured places to guard against theft saying the government is pumping billions of shillings in the DLP.
“We have heard of cases were the devices have been stolen after criminals broke into stores and this must come to end at all costs. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure they are stored in a safe custody,” the CS added.
The CS at the same time disclosed that a new system of education will be implemented soon. He said the proposed system will prepare students on the various fields as opposed to the current system where focus is only on academics.
“The propose system will focus on academics, talents and technology so that students are prepared to pursue their talents and professions they like but not academics only,” the CS added.
Matiang’i said curriculum reforms were on course to address the talents and potential of all children so that they do not go to waste but engage in gainful activities and in the process build the country. He appealed to all the education stakeholders to support the reforms arguing that they were of paramount importance to the country