The Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) has been launched by the Interior and Coordination of National government Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho in Vihiga County.
He said the pilot schools have been identified for the project and installation which is ongoing will be finalized by December 2016.
Karanja launched 102 learning digital devices, two teachers’ training devices, one projector and one server for class one pupils at St. Francis Hambale primary school in Vihiga Sub County.
“Nine schools have so far been installed with digital devices and they have ICT trained teachers to help to offer literacy skills to the pupils,” said Karanja.
He said a total of 1170 teachers have been trained in Vihiga county to support the programme and this translates to about 2 or 3 teachers per school.
Karanja added that the training will be recurrent and targets to reach all schools as per the fixed month countrywide.
He also said the government has employed ICT officers at the county levels to carry out and help the teachers in the implementation of the project.
“This project will be a success and the government has ensured that all public schools are connected to the power grid before the end of this year,” said Karanja.
Karanja noted that some remote schools have been given solar panels in cases where the last mile electricity connection has not been a success.
He called on parents and the community to own the project and ensure they are the gatekeepers of the devices.
“The content in the learner’s digital devices cannot be erased and stealing them for your own use will be wasted,” said Karanja.
He said the government will build storage facilities to keep the devices safe in all schools.
He said the maintenance will be done by the Moi University, JKUAT, and ICT officers at the field.
The principal secretary who was speaking at the institution in Mbale town was accompanied by Western regional coordinator Chimwaga Mongo, County County commissioner Akello Apollo among other senior government officials.