Private schools to integrate e-learning

By Augustine Oduor

Nairobi, Kenya: Private schools have started a process that will see some 12,000 primary schools fitted with computer laboratories in the quest to embrace Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Kenya Private Schools Association (Kepsa) Chief Executive Peter Ndoro said talks are underway with Haier, a Chinese company, to supply computers that will be used to set up ICT laboratories in private schools.

He said the first phase of the project would cover some 1,000 private primary schools across the country.

Amit Mohindra of the BH Mohindra Company, which is the local agents of Haier, said the company is close to signing a deal with private schools.

“We have had talks with private schools to help them implement the schools e-learning system. We intend to set up students laboratories complete with e-boards and to also make them as interactive as possible,” said Mr Mohindra. He said Haier has conducted the ICT project demonstrations to parents and private schools owners across the country.

“We started in Eldoret and Nairobi and so far, the stakeholders are happy and soon we shall sign the deal,” he said.

Speaking to The Standard, Mohindra said a team of school owners and stakeholders are to visit the manufacturing plant in China ahead of signing the deal.

“We have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kepsa, which is very elaborate on the deal and as soon as they visit the manufacturing plant to do due diligence, we shall sign the contract,” said Mohindra.

Mr Ndoro said: “We are at a critical stage in talks with the Haier local dealers and we shall soon make a statement that will see the start of an elaborate plan to fit schools with computer laboratories.”

He said the project will be rolled out in a phased out approach to cover all the schools.

He added: “We do not want to rush the programme. We want to move systematically learning from each phase of implementation until all the schools are covered.”

Ndoro said the ICT programme in private schools will be an integrated one and will see all children in the schools access computers.