Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga has committed to support initiative to equip students with digital skills in 22 Commonwealth countries including Kenya days after Commonwealth Business Women Africa Kenya Chapter signed partnership agreement with education technologies firm, Kodris Africa to implement the noble pact.
Today, Nyeri governor said students in Nyeri schools stand to benefit immensely from the program whose content is approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
He lauded the initiative terming it as an excellent undertaking that will help bridge the digital skill gap by equipping youths in Nyeri with the tools they need to thrive in this digital age.
“This is a great innovation and it is something we need to have done yesterday. Our children need this to be competent drivers of the digital economy. I fully endorse it. We will collaborate with all stakeholders from the Ministry of Education and the entire political leadership within the county to guarantee that our children acquire these valuable skills. We must stay ahead of the game.” The governor said.
Governor Kahiga further highlighted the potential of remote opportunities, citing a call centre in Nyeri that serves customers in the U.S. and the exceptional talent pool it has discovered locally.
“Our young people can learn skills that enable them to serve the world remotely.” The governor emphasized, commending the initiative as “an excellent undertaking.”
The partnership is expected to Integrate KICD-approved coding content into the curriculum of Nyeri schools, train teachers in effectively delivering coding lessons, provide students with access to quality coding resources and infrastructure and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among young people in Nyeri
“Our children are talented and deserve the best opportunities to learn and grow. By supporting initiatives like this, we are equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century, we will collaborate with all stakeholders from the Ministry of Education and the entire political leadership within the county to guarantee that our children acquire these valuable skills.” The governor said.
Commonwealth Business Women Africa Kenya Chapter chairperson Pauline Warui said it is very crucial to invest in the digital literacy of the youths as their success is dependent on it in the ever-evolving global landscape.
“Investing in our youth’s digital literacy is crucial for their success in the global economy. We are proud to partner with Kodris Africa and Governor Kahiga to make coding education accessible to all students in Nyeri.” She noted.
On his part, Kodris Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mugumo Munene said that: “We are thrilled to have Governor Kahiga’s support for this vital initiative. His commitment to equipping Nyeri’s youth with coding skills will pave the way for a brighter future for generations to come.”
Kodris Africa, a leading provider of coding education, aims to bridge the digital skills gap in Africa. By partnering with Commonwealth Business Women Africa Kenya Chapter and gaining the backing of Governor Kahiga, the organization is poised to make significant strides in equipping Nyeri’s youth with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.
Barely a fortnight ago, the Commonwealth Business Women Africa (CBW-A) organisation partnered with technology firm Kodris Africa to provide essential coding skills to 1 million girls across Africa.
The initiative, aiming to bridge the widening digital divide, will be conducted in 22 African countries, to transform STEM education for girls and unleash their potential for success in the 21st century.
“CBW-A’s 1 million girls coding initiative is not just an educational program; it’s a catalyst for change. By empowering girls with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the digital age, CBW-A is investing in a brighter future for Africa, one where innovation and opportunity know no gender boundaries.” CBW-A’s Vice President for Africa Nana Wanjau said.
The partnership also seeks to develop a transparent system to ensure fair and equitable selection of participants across the 22 Commonwealth countries where CBW-A operates as well as delivering engaging and age-appropriate learning materials to the girls’ cohort.
“Across Africa, the underrepresentation of girls in STEM fields remains a significant challenge. According to UNESCO, women make up only 28% of STEM graduates globally, and the situation is even starker in Africa, where girls often face cultural barriers and limited access to quality STEM education.” Wanjau added.
“This lack of participation not only restricts individual opportunities but also hampers the continent’s overall technological advancement and economic growth. If we are to turn this time, we have to start somewhere and start now. It’s time to catalyse the change we desire to see.”
Kodris Africa CEO Mugomo Munene on his part expressed confidence that the partnership with CBW-A will achieve its intended objectives.
“It is exciting to equip young people with the skills they need to participate fully and effectively in the global digital economy. The girls who will join this programme will have an opportunity to acquire 21st-century skills such as design thinking, critical and algorithmic thinking.” He said.
“The coding skills they acquire will also lead them to online environments where they can pick jobs as soon as they attain the age of 18, deliver remotely and receive payments from the comfort of their homes.”
