It’s tablets for pupils now as laptops headed for ‘archives’

By VITALIS KIMUTAI
Kenya: The government is considering the introduction of tablets instead of laptops to Class One pupils in all public schools across the country.

Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof Jacob Kaimenyi said the move was informed by the fact that Information Communication Technology (ICT) was very dynamic with gadgets and software change in a very short time.

Kaimenyi said there were clear projections that in the next five years, laptops currently being used by majority of the people would be replaced by tablets thus the need to be ahead of time so that the gadgets are not declared obsolete.

“What Kenya needs to do is to move in tandem with technology so as to avoid the country being a dumping ground for obsolete goods.We have also established that young children prefer touch screen than devices that use a mouse,” Kaimenyi said.

He said the government was keen on ensuring a plant was set up in the country to manufacture the gadgets so as to make it cheaper for the consumers.

“There is a consortium of private sector players willing to partner with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to set up a local assembly plant for the computers,” Kaimenyi said.

Kaimenyi while accompanied by Principal Secretary in the Ministry Kipsang Belion made the remarks when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Technology to brief MPs on the progress made in the implementation of laptops programe in schools.