Provide affordable laptops and connect schools to the internet

Class five pupils of DEB Township Primary School in Meru get guidance from their teacher Lucy Mithika during recess on February 28, 2019 using the tablets issued to them by the government as part of President Kenyatta's flagship project - The Digital Literacy Programme which aimed to provide laptops to all learners joining class one in Kenya. [File, Standard]

The Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya represents a transformative shift in our educational approach, focusing on developing skills that are vital for the 21st century. The CBC emphasises competencies such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving—abilities that are essential in today’s rapidly evolving, technology-driven world.

For CBC to fully achieve its goals, every teacher and learner should have access to a laptop, supported by reliable internet connectivity in all schools across the country.

This call cannot be separated from the political promises made in the past. In the 2013 Jubilee Party election campaigns, the immediate former regime of President Uhuru Kenyatta and then Deputy President William Ruto made a bold pledge to provide every child with a laptop.

This promise was received with great enthusiasm. However, despite the high hopes, it was never honoured. This unfulfilled promise becomes even more significant when we consider that the same regime introduced the CBC, a curriculum that necessitates the use of laptops and other digital tools that define the Alpha generation.

The CBC’s emphasis on interactive learning and the application of knowledge in practical contexts underscores the need for every learner to have access to a laptop. Without this access, the very foundation of the CBC is undermined, leaving learners ill-equipped to meet the demands of the curriculum. As we move away from rote learning towards a more interactive and applied educational approach, the role of digital tools becomes central. Laptops are not just supplementary; they are essential for modern teaching and learning.

They enable teachers to plan and deliver dynamic lessons, access a wide range of online resources, and customise educational experiences to meet the diverse needs of their students. For learners, laptops unlock a world of information, allowing them to explore topics in greater depth, collaborate with peers, and develop the digital literacy that is increasingly critical in today’s job market.

Notably, Kenya has made commendable strides in expanding internet access, with penetration steadily increasing even in rural areas. This progress is encouraging, as the Internet is a vital resource for education. With just a laptop connected to internet and a projector, even poor schools can benefit from free online resources. For this reason, every school in Kenya should have reliable internet connectivity.

The success of the CBC is closely tied to the ability of teachers and students to engage with the readily available digital content and resources. Yet, as we embrace these digital possibilities, we must also confront the reality of the digital divide. There are still significant disparities in access to technology, particularly between urban and rural areas, and between different socio-economic groups. This divide risks leaving some learners behind, exacerbating existing inequalities.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure all learners, regardless of their background, have equal access to the tools necessary for success in the CBC. This requires a concerted effort from the government, in partnership with the private sector, to provide affordable laptops and ensure every school is connected to the internet. The focus must be on creating opportunities for every child, not just those in well-resourced urban schools.

With political goodwill, the government has all the powers and resources necessary to make this vision a reality. Despite the tough economic times we are currently facing, it is crucial to recognise that the funds required to equip our schools with laptops do not necessitate raising taxes or borrowing. Instead, the focus should be on curbing the mega corruption in government and improving financial management.The amount of public funds lost annually to corruption could more than cover the costs of providing laptops to every child and teacher. 

Dr. Mokua is the executive director of Loyola Centre for Media and Communication