Kenya develops content for laptops use in schools

Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) Director Lydia Nzomo

Digital content for all subjects has already been developed in readiness for laptop rollout in public primary schools.

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), which is in charge of curriculum development, has for the last two years run pilot project of digital curriculum content of 12 subjects in 20 secondary schools in 290 constituencies.

The Secondary School project was funded by the Government under the Economic Stimulus programme. Yesterday, Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) Director Lydia Nzomo stated that the institute was ready for the rollout.

“The digital curriculum content has been developed and is available. When the time comes, we will install curriculum content into the laptops and have them delivered to schools,” stated Nzomo.

It is estimated that the laptop project will cover close to one million children joining Standard One in public schools.

KICD, formerly KIE, is the only institution mandated to develop curriculum in Kenya under the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Act, 2013.

Clause 27 of the Act stipulates that anyone who contravenes the law is liable for three years jail term or a fine of Sh1 million or both. Dr Nzomo noted that digital content in schools would improve children problem solving skills, pronunciations and creative thinking.

“This concept will make delivery of lessons useful. It will help teachers decode issues to leaners. Abstract information needs to be decoded to leaners. This is where technology helps. It is going to lay a foundation in science and maths, which have remained a mystery to learners and therefore, help in Vision 2030,” stated Nzomo.

She noted that priorities should be focused on the benefits of the project. She added that laptops need to be used as a learning tool.

“We need to move away from pegging development on costs. Everything we do has costs. We now have to look at the benefits of the project, which are very immense,” she said.

The head of E-learning Reuben Nthamburi accompanied Nzomo.

Nthamburi said KICD has trained teachers on how to intergrade ICT in learning. The programme was initiated in 2007.

He noted they also rolled out modules for teachers under Elimika project.

“Integration of ICT in education is open to all teachers. What we are teaching them is how to teach mathematics, science, among others using ICT,” stated Nthamburi.

Nthamburi said Kenya is the only country in Africa, which has aligned digital curriculum content to syllabus. He noted that the digital content has adequate security features to stop copying or dubbing.

“We no longer produce DVDs. Instead, we install the content in the computers as self-run programmes with serial numbers to protect copyright,” stated Nthamburi.

By ANDREW TEYIE, The Standard