Forum to discuss Information and Communication Technology in schools

By Standard Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Kenya Information and Communication Technology Trust Fund has organized second education conference on eLearning ahead of government’s laptop project roll out.

The conference is  a platform for educators to not only share experiences on how to mainstream ICT in Education, but also to explore how best to achieve ICT integration in the curriculum delivery.

“The conference is  core to our strategy of adding value to the efforts by the Ministry of Education to computerize schools in line with the National ICT Strategy for Education and Training, by earnestly introducing e –Learning,” said Dr. Mark Matunga,  Microsoft's Sub-sahara Education Technology Advisor.

“Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made great impact on the way knowledge is produced and shared, which in turn has called for a paradigm shift in educational practices,” he noted.

He said critical aspects of the five pillars in the National ICT Strategy for Education and Training such as policy and strategy, curriculum  and content, internet and connectivity, Hardware  and Software, and  teacher professional Development will be duscussed.

The meeting comes at a time when the Ministry of Education Science and Technology is embarking on implementation of Jubilee government’s pledge to provide laptop computers to primary schools.

The laptop project which has elicited criticism is on course and the Cabinet has already approved a Sh15.3 billion for the implementation of the first three phases aimed at providing 6,000 primary schools with the equipment.

According to the Education Ministry, implementation plans have been finalized for the procurement of the first batch of computers for all 1.3 million pupils joining standard 1 in 2014 at an estimated cost of Sh14.7 billion.