State launches private primary school digital literacy programme

Information Communication Technology Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru Photo:Courtesy

The Government has launched a digital literacy programme (DLP) for private primary schools.

The Taifa Elimu Tablet was officially launched in Nairobi yesterday after the State included private primary schools in a digital literacy programme rolled out last year.

The Government said 329,000 tablets were delivered to 21 counties under the Jomo Kenyatta University ICT project.

Information Communication Technology (ICT) Cabinet secretary Joe Mucheru said Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) had partnered with Kenya Private School Association (Kepsa) to ensure private institutions also benefit from the laptops project.

Mr Mucheru said 7,238 public primary schools in 21 counties have already been supplied with laptops.

He said laptops, projectors and content point gadgets are ready for use in schools.

“The Government's mandate is to ensure every Kenyan child receives quality education that equips them with the 21st century skills including digital literacy.

 This positive development is a commitment both nationally and internationally made by Kenya government to transform our country into Knowledge based society and economy," he said.  

He said the Government was impressed by institutions of higher learning which had demonstrated that they had human technological expertise by offering an ICT solution that delivers in key development areas.

JKUAT Vice Chancellor Mabel Imbuga said the institution spent Sh105 million on an assembly plant where the university has been assembling Taifa Laptop tablets for primary school pupils and for teachers. 

The VC said JKUAT would provide technological guidelines.