Many false starts in taking computers to schools

By Harold Ayodo

Computerisation of schools is facing many challenges four years after the Government launched a policy to facilitate digital learning.

A Sh1.3 billion plan to introduce mobile computer laboratories in public schools is yet to take off even after a budgetary allocation.

Ministry of Information PS Bitange Ndemo last week blamed MPs for frustrating the project.

Other ambitious plans have failed because of poor infrastructure including lack of electricity in rural areas and urban slums.

Thousands of computers from donors lie idle in schools following poor maintenance or lack of ICT savvy teachers.

New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) was among the first organisations to introduce an e-learning project for schools five years ago. Chavakali High, Isiolo Girls, Menengai Mixed, Maranda High, Mumbi Girls and Wajir Girls are among the secondary schools that benefited from the project.

Computers for Schools Kenya deputy director Fredrick Okono says lack of funds from the Government and donors shying away from rural schools because of poor infrastructure have slowed digitisation of schools. "We have been forced to buy generators for 21 rural schools before issuing them with computers," Okono says. "The neediest institutions lack electricity," he says.

The deputy director of the organisation that has computerised 620 schools with 20,000 computers in seven years, says most initiatives have failed partly because of poor maintenance and technical support.

Although e-learning has picked up in private schools they say Government should subside efforts of schools to computerise. "We import computers and other electronic learning material but are not exempted from taxes and rates to encourage our efforts," says Moi Education Centre principal Philemon Chebii.

 

 

Read all about: computers ICT New Partnership for Africa’s Development Nepad e-learning

 

 

|   |    |   Add Comment |    Comments (0)

---