Government kick-starts ‘Laptop for Class One’ programme

Wednesday, May 22nd 2013, By AUGUSTINE ODUOR
Kenya: Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has invited proposals on how best the laptop for class one pupils can be implemented.
He termed it wrong for people to criticise the project without offering alternative ways of implementing the project.
“We cannot live and believe that it’s only a preserve of children from the west to be Information and Communication Technology savvy at young age. We can also do it here,” he said.
Kaimeyi said some Sh70 billion is needed to roll out the ambitious project, adding that plans are underway to supply electricity to schools that are close to the national grid.

He further said 40 per cent of primary schools will be supplied with the laptops in the first phase of the project. However, he fell short of explaining the criteria to be used in selecting schools to receive the gadgets.
 ‘As the Cabinet Secretary, I will advise the president on the project depending on my assessment if it can be delivered within the required time,” he said.
He said the ministry is working with a November deadline ahead of the major roll out scheduled for January next year. Speaking yesterday, Kaimenyi said all persons with better ways on how the project can be implemented should contact the ministry.
“There will be no favouritism under my ministry. We shall treat all people same and all proposals shall be looked at,’ he said.
He was speaking at a luncheon organised by Elimu Yetu Coalition. Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori said he believed in ICT for schools but faulted the State for making an outrageous promise to Kenyans. “I wonder how this project will be implemented or even how it will work,’ said Misori.
He said to roll out the project; some 28,000 primary school teachers must be trained on ICT.
Opinion has been divided over the Jubilee Government pledge to provide some 1.5 million standard one children with laptops.
Opponents have said some schools do not even have adequate infrastructure while in other places, teachers are not even adequate.
They also say more schools should be constructed to increase education access.