The Government has launched schoolnet connectivity programs in schools to enhance digital learning among learners, teachers and the community.
State Department of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs PS Jerome Ochieng says the schoolnet connectivity program is being rolled out on pilot basis in nine schools across the country in order to impart digital skills to young children.
“It is envisaged that when fully operationalized, the program will provide broadband internet connectivity to all public and private schools,” he revealed
Speaking during the launch at Irechero primary school in Ikolomani constituency Friday, Ochieng said the connectivity will not only support the Competence Based Curriculum, but also engrain digital skills from an early age to prepare them for the opportunities that the Fourth Industrial Revolution presents.
“We want to provide a better foundation to the children to be ready to adopt digital skills as early as possible, nowadays most jobs have embraced digital skills locking out the majority of applicants who lack them,” he said.
The PS urged students to utilize the opportunities availed to them by the government to sharpen their skills and do online work through the Ajira Digital Programme.
“The goodness with technology is that it equalizes and makes it possible for everybody to access all information and opportunities available worldwide. We can use the internet to share teachers, we can use it to share knowledge and experiences,” he pointed out.Ochieng noted that Digital skills is part of the five pillars of the National Government’s Digital Economy strategy to position Kenya as one of the digital economies in Africa.
He said the government is committed to achieve the set objective by also providing an elaborate digital infrastructure, digitizing government services through the Digital government and encouraging innovation through the digital economy pillar.
The PS said the government is keen to ensure young children are not left behind in acquisition of digital skills since they are born to a digital world, with easy access to devices with digital tools.
He said as such most government services are now being done online, reducing the usage of paperwork that has previously dodged the system.
By George Kaiga and Moses Wekesa
