Gov't Drops 'Failed' Laptops Project for Class One Pupils
The government through the Ministry of Education says it has suspended the digital literacy program that seeks to issue Standard One pupils with tablets.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang says that there is a policy change in the program and the Ministry will instead focus on setting up computer labs in schools for ICT integration.
“There has been a policy change in a program from one child-one laptop to the construction of computer laboratories for ICT integration,” Kipsang says.
PS Kipsang says that each of the 25,000 public primary schools in the country will get at least one computer lab under the new policy.
As part of his pre-election campaign pledges in 2013, President Kenyatta announced that all the 1.2 million Class One pupils across the country would get a laptop each under the digital literacy program.
However, educationists advised against the move and urged the government to instead consider setting up computer laboratories.
Due to cost implications, the government in 2016 announced it would issue the pupils with tablets instead of laptops.
Some schools received tablets in the first rollout but the project appears to have failed even after the government spent billions of shillings to procure the gadgets.
The one laptop per child idea aimed at entrenching ICT in teaching and learning in primary schools countrywide.
Comments
Another failed project by…
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Another failed project by the boy in statehouse. Kenya has had many failed presidents but this one hands down is the worst. Corruption and betting are the only two growth areas in the Jubilee era.
Moi was the worst hands down…
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Moi was the worst hands down. The idea wasn't bad, just too ambitious. The computer lab route is much better thought at some point kids need the tablets. Ideally should start with a pilot program in one county then adjust accordingly
So how much money was wasted…
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So how much money was wasted before we realized this was not feasible. It was said over and over again that Computer labs were more cost efficient but those who wanted the tenders etc hoodwinked the yes man - kamwana. Does Uhuru think for himself. I supported him BUT he can't get out of State house fast enough .
He thinks for himself but he…
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In reply to So how much money was wasted… by formerlyguest2 (not verified)
He thinks for himself but he is a slow thinker. It took him six years to realize this was a bad idea.
@formelyguest, Spot on with…
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@formelyguest, Spot on with the "Yes Man" tag. With all these scandals one wonders who advises the government. Where is the thinktank of jubilee govt? they may give good political advice and sycophancy but they seem zero on economy, management of resources and efficient effective leadership. What is on display is an active and reactive leadership. I do not understand why the MoE is always handled with gloves to the detriment of our education and a sinkhole for public funds. No amount of development can overran and bury corruption and ineptness. Scandals, Corruption na uzembe cannot be wished a way, explained away, or addressed away in any of the many goodly forums. It may require systematic and surgical precision accompanied by unforgiving blows of a gigantic judicial sledgehammer. For the sake of future generations start with sanitizing education ministry and its affiliates. Just look at the top 30 figures in MoE and you will see the gaping holes that bring about these flip-flop-scandals and half-baked plans which end up putting billions in the drain on every turn.
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