Ongeri unveils digital school curriculum

By Beauttah Omanga

Teaching has gone high-tech with the launch of a digitised curriculum.

Education Minister Sam Ongeri yesterday unveiled a programme that, when fully implemented, could deal publishers and booksellers a major blow. It provides access to content on subjects in the school curriculum over the Internet.

The minister said primary and secondary schools would be required to have computers to enable teachers access the curriculum content.

Mr Ongeri said digital content has the potential to revolutionalise teaching and learning by enhancing access, quality, relevance and equity.

Education Minister Sam Ongeri hands over Digital Content for e-learning to his PS Karega Mutahi during the launch at Kenya Institute of Education Monday. [PHOTO: Jonah Onyango/STANDARD]

Ongeri said: "The use of digital content in teaching and learning is timely because whereas the Government is committed to providing free primary and secondary education, ensuring quality remains a challenge".

He said all budget allocations to schools for purchase of course books would now be transferred to purchase of diskettes for the curriculum.

The minister quickly moved to allay fears the e-learning system will lead to reduction in number of teachers, as computers will largely take over.

"I want to make it clear that as the country embraces the use of digital content in curriculum delivery, teachers will continue to play critical role in the teaching and learning process," he said.

Ongeri added availability of ICT and digital content would require even more contribution from teachers.

Solar energy

But he said teachers will need to be better equipped with skills, knowledge and values of knowledge-based economy in readiness for this change.

The minister said schools without electricity would soon be supplied as a matter of urgency through rural electrification programme. He said other schools would have to make arrangement for use of solar energy.