Digital learning project to be rolled out next week

Primary schools across the country will begin receiving digital learning resources next week.

The Government is finally kicking off the multi-billion-shilling digital learning programme, with the pilot phase providing free hardware and software for all primary schools. The phase begins on Monday 22, and is expected to pave the way for a national roll-out.

The two consortia that emerged winners (Moi University and JP Couto; and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Positivo BGH) have three months to prove they can execute the project on a national scale in all 22,000 schools.

The Moi University team will cover 26 counties, while JKUAT’s team will cover 21 counties.

According to ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, the 150 schools selected for the pilot were certified to be e-Ready by headteachers and county education officers.

“The necessary training has been done... the electricity connection is assured and we have facilitated security for the devices as well,” he said.

Mobile service provider Safaricom will be providing free Internet connectivity for the 150 schools.

The next phase of the project is expected to begin in June this year.