Group roots for ICT in schools

By ERASTUS MULWA

KENYA: Secondary schools have been challenged to integrate ICT in their curriculum to prepare students for modern day challenges.

Rotary Club of Emsdetten (Germany) President Thomas Hovekamp said ICT has become an integral component in solving contemporary problems.

He emphasised the need for education stakeholders and policy makers to ensure students are equipped with necessary ICT skills relevant to the job market.

“Integration of ICT in secondary schools will not only make students compliant with the modern world, but will also refine them in readiness for technology-driven economy,” said Mr Hovekamp.

He said this would provide a skilled human capital for driving the country’s economy. Hovekamp spoke yesterday after leading a team of Rotarians in launching a computer laboratory for Ikatini Secondary School in Masinga District, Machakos County.

The project, which was jointly supported by the Rotary Club of Milimani (Kenya) at a cost of Sh2.5 million saw the school benefit from a state of the art ICT lab expected to serve more than 350 students.

Milimani Rotary Club project co-coordinator Muthui Mbogo said the initiative would help propel the country towards the achievement of Vision 2030. “We believe this initiative will contribute immensely in preparing our youth adequately as the country strives to achieve the Vision 2030,” he noted.

Area MP Itwiku Mbai said the Government is committed to providing bursaries for bright and needy students, and asked parents to take advantage of free primary education.

“We laud the Government’s commitment in working to ensure adequate access to education is guaranteed. But we still need to invest more in order to ensure no worthy student misses the chance to attain education,” he said.

At the same time, the legislator raised the red flag over the impending famine in parts of Ukambani, following the failure of the short rains.