Teachers in the country have been encouraged to embrace technology not as a mere addition to their teaching career but as a powerful catalyst for technological innovation.
Speaking during the 26th graduation ceremony of Bondo Teachers Training College Friday, Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said education is at the forefront of the ongoing digital revolution in the country.
The CS said that Teachers Training Colleges in the country were the intersection of traditions and technological innovation.
Owalo observed that the role educators in the country was pivotal in shaping the minds that will lead the country into the future defined by knowledge, creativity and technological prowess.
He said that the digital landscape offers an array of platforms that could revolutionize the way teachers engaged students, imparted knowledge and cultivated their thirst for learning.
“Whether it is virtual classrooms, interactive learning applications or collaborative online projects, technology offers an avenue for creativity and dynamism in education,” said the ICT boss who was flanked by Bondo Member of Parliament Dr. Gideon Ochanda and Siaya County Commissioner Julius Otieno among others.
Owalo therefore encouraged teachers and the education fraternity to seamlessly integrate technology into learning methodology allowing it to enhance but not replace the invaluable human connections which is at the heart of education.
He on the other hand asked the teachers to instill values into the students with regards to use of technology.
“As educators, you are not just dispensers of knowledge but you are also guardians of integrity, empathy and responsible citizenship,” Owalo stated
The CS observed that in a world dominated by screens and interconnectedness, teaching digital ethics is as important as imparting traditional values.
“As we embrace technology, we know that there are challenges within the technological space just the same way we have opportunities so let us use technology responsibly,” Owalo said.
The ICT boss stated that digital ethics encompasses a spectrum of principles including online responsibility, respect for digital property and awareness of the consequences of one’s digital footprints.
CS Owalo said that digital technology in education would break barriers that previously limited teaching making it possible for teachers to transcend geographic barriers and provide equal opportunity for learners to access education irrespective of their location.
He reiterated that government under the leadership of President William Ruto remains committed to rolling out 100 thousand kilometers of fibre optic cable in the country that will enable internet connectivity in teacher training colleges besides establishing 25 thousand Wi-Fi hot spots in market centers in addition to 1450 digital hubs in all wards in the country.
By Brian Ondeng’ & Philip Onyango
