All the 52 public primary schools in Thika constituency are set to benefit from WIFI connected ICT hubs in bid to expose learners to digital skills at a young age.
Area MP, Patrick Wainaina said education stakeholders and donors will support the programme which will commence this month at Thika School. It will have covered other schools by 2022.
Speaking during a consultative forum between School heads, boards of Management and teachers at Thika town over the weekend, the MP said priority will be given to schools that have good infrastructure to fix the equipment.
A classroom in each of the 52 schools will be identified and equipped with about 20 computers, a projector and connected to internet to enable young learners learn ICT skills.
The classrooms will be operational on weekdays for the learners and during the weekends for school leavers who intend to equip themselves with ICT skills.
This will come as a big boost to many pupils, especially in the rural parts of the constituency, who become exposed to digital skills after completing Form Four.
Already, the government through its electrification programme has connected most of the schools with power, making it easy to run the programme.
“The schools will only need to have the classrooms selected for the programme reinforced with security grills. They will also be guarded and have CCTV and other alarm installation to secure the equipment. We will also have trainers, physical and online, to take the learner through the programme,” he said.
The teachers lauded the programme saying it would put young learners in public primary schools, especially in the rural areas, at par with their counterparts in private schools, most of which are already well equipped.
They said ICT being the future employer would provide the pupils with digital skills to make a living in future.
“They will be able to network, learn computer packages which are necessary in ICT-related jobs, and other Computer skills which otherwise they would not have gained,” said Peter Mungai, one of the teachers from Thika East Sub County.
By Muoki Charles