The funds will however only be used to purchase the needed basic hardware for all the estimated 1.5 million children expected to be enrolled in class one next year.
Samsung Electronics estimates that each solar-powered laptop may cost some Sh35,000, translating to a whopping Sh50 billion. But the Government may negotiate lower prices considering the economies of scale.
The Government has however remained quiet on the cost involved for the ambitious project aimed at empowering the young to be Information and Communication Technology savvy.
The State has, however, already seen demonstrations from various companies that have expressed interest to supply the laptops. Investigations reveal that Motorola and LG electronics are some of the firms that have already expressed willingness to deliver solar powered laptops for the programme. The Standard has established that the high cost involved and logistical systems needed for the implementation of this programme is education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi’s headache.
Well-placed sources at the Ministry of Education said that the CS has held several planning meetings with senior ministry officials to ensure the programme is timely rolled out next year. The source, who is a senior ministry official but asked not to be quoted, said the laptops programme has been the major concern for the CS since he took over the ministry.
And speaking yesterday, Mr Kaimenyi confirmed that the President’s pledge must be fully and successfully implemented at the agreed time. He said plans are already underway to connect electricity to all primary schools before end of the year.
The secretary added that schools not close to the national grid would be supplied with solar panels ahead of the major roll out of the Jubilee government’s laptops for schools pledge. “About 10 per cent of schools are not connected to electricity, yet by January we should have them connected,” he said, adding, 40 per cent of the schools will be supplied by solar panels.
“By November or December we should be in a position to deliver content to implement the project,” he said.
- The Standard
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