The Turkana County Commissioner (CC), Muthama Wambua has called for enhanced multi sectoral collaboration in the implementation of the Digital Literacy Programme.
Speaking during a County Development and Implementation Coordination Committee meeting in Lodwar on Friday, Wambua announced the formation of a multi sector subcommittee that will spearhead the seamless implementation of the programme.
The subcommittee comprises representatives from the Education ministry, ICT authority, Energy, Rural Electrification Authority and Kenya Power Company.
The ministry of education is mandated to oversee the implementation of the programme, ICT Authority helps in training of teachers and supplying of gadgets to schools, while the ministry of energy, rural electrification authority and Kenya Power Company are tasked with the responsibility of providing power to schools.
“The subcommittee will help address the challenges in the programme and secure the gains that have been made so far,” said Wambua.
The ICT authority is in the county spearheading the documentation of DLP in primary schools like Kabulokor, Kanamkemer and St. BenedictSchool for pupils with hearing impairment.
The County Director of Education, Peter Magiri said the programme underscored the importance of the programme terming it as the way to go.
“The programme has provided a level playing field for all pupils regardless of their background. The poor and the rich have access to technology which is very critical in the current world,” said Magiri.
Magiri said teething problems that have faced the programme are normal and exuded confidence that in the long run the programme will help revolutionize learning by arousing the curiosity of learners.
“Learning will never be the same again because the DLP has ensured that learners not only gain knowledge but they also enjoy the process by interacting with devices,” he added.
Magiri said 258 primary schools out of the 446 schools in the county have had the devices installed. At the time when the programme was roiled out, there were 408 primary schools in the county.
With the introduction of the new curriculum, new content is being rolled out by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.
The Turkana Teachers Service Commission Director, Cheruiyot Lang’at said teachers are continually being trained to better deliver the content to learners.
The Head teacher Kabulokor primary school, Japhet Korobe also hailed the programme.
“The programme has caused excitement among learners. With time it will contribute to better performance in the school,” he said.
The Headteacher St. Benedicta, Peter Eiton echoed Korobe’s sentiments, saying the programe will help produced all rounded pupils who are better equipped for the current world.
By Peter Gitonga
