Village school gets Sh1 million computers donation

Teachers and parents from Mirithu primary school in Ndeiya Limuru appreciate the computer consignment that was donated by the Konza technopolis development authority. [George Njunge, Standard]

A remote primary school in Ndeiya sub-county, Limuru, has received a donation of Sh1 million computers after getting free internet connection to aid Junior Secondary School (JSS) students.

Konza Technopolis Development Authority donated the computers to Mirithu Primary School which received free internet connection courtesy of Toptech Global Solutions, after the story was published by The Standard.

Toptech, an internet distribution company, installed cabled internet to the public primary school.

While donating the computers, Konza Technopolis Development Authority Director Peter Mucendu, said it was humbling to read the story in The Standard.

Mucendu said the private firm's gesture to support a school in the far-flung area to ensure effective implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) challenged the authority.

"The computers will certainly bridge the gap between the pupils who have access to internet and those who do not have, since they will be able to study in a classroom and this will reduce the disparity. It will also make work a little easier for the teachers," he said.

The director revealed that Konza Technopolis Development Authority identified pilot schools that will be used to impact basic computing skills to pupils.

"The authority has established a Jitume Digital Hub at Mirithu Junior Secondary School and Primary School and donated 10 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure devices to support training of students with digital skills, support the CBC through creativity and enable them to take advantage of the digital economy," Muchendu said.

"This knowledge will be used effectively to support the learners to explore different areas such as artificial intelligence, software development among other niches in the ICT field," he added.

Since the launch of the Jitume Digital ICT Hubs in December 2022 by President William Ruto at Kabete National Polytechnic, the authority has managed to setup more than 160 digital labs in TVETs, schools, community centers and universities as part of the programme.

Mirithu Primary and Junior Secondary School head teacher Joyce Wanjiru said the computers will ensure collaboration amongst the learners and access to online resources.

Wanjiru explained that this will make learning interactive and interesting hence motivate learners.

"They will also help with the creation of more teaching and learning resources. Furthermore, the use of computers will prepare learners for the digital economy by being digitally literate. Full delivery of the syllabus content must be enabled by ICT integration as required by the Competency-Based Curriculum and the computers come in handy for this purpose," she said

The head teacher admitted that the school has had challenges due to lack of computers, which derailed full curriculum coverage and e-learning.

She said without ICT integration, teaching and learning process was monotonous hence, demotivating learners and reduced performance expectations.

"We now expect an improvement in concentration and motivation from the learners hence achieving the set targets. Use of computers will promote autonomous learning by the learners, which will encourage critical and creative thinking," Wanjiru said.

Lucia Wambui, a JSS student said she was happy that their institution is not only connected to the internet but also has computers.

"We shall now excel in computer studies like the other big schools which have computers. We also promise to do better in our studies," Wambui said.

Toptech Global Solutions Managing Director Kelvin Mwaniki said that the internet will open up the world and make a level playing ground for all pupils regardless of their location.

"We have impacted over 400 pupils with this kind of donation and partnership. If more companies and individuals would copy this then there will be a total transformation of our society," Mwaniki said.