Safaricom, Intel launch school package

By Fredrick Obura

Safaricom Friday announced a partnership with Intel Corporation to accelerate the adoption of information technology in schools.

The initiative, ‘Explore, Play Learn the Fun Safe Way,’ aims at helping youth to use computers as a learning and entertainment tool, while at the same time making sure that they are protected from inappropriate content and Internet risks.

The project includes a laptop of choice, loaded with Safaricom data, education content, encyclopedia, free games, entertainment and business software and McAfee Family Pack license, which will help in protecting users from inappropriate content on the Web.

Safaricom Head of Consumer Segment Rita Okuthe said the company would continue to mine value in partnerships with companies that share the vision of increasing the uptake of data based learning among local communities.

Solution

"As the biggest investor in Internet infrastructure, we strongly believe in the Internet’s potency as a tool for providing solutions to societal needs. Education is one such area and we come to this partnership with the conviction that it will serve to advance e-leaning among our children," said Okuthe.

She said that Safaricom would continue supporting efforts to make data content relevant to locals.

The intense competition in the telecoms sub-sector has eroded profits in voice, a product that was previously the main source of income for the country’s four operators.

"To drive our economy, we need to invest in broadband, education and local content, the programme we have launched is projected to increase broadband penetration as well as provide technology tools to help our children in their education," said Intel Country Manager Omar Bajaber