The Secretary of Administration in the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, Jonam Kinama, has launched the National Class Experience programme in Makueni County to enhance digital learning in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).
Kinama launched the programme at ACK St. Luke Wote Township Comprehensive School in Makueni Subcounty on Thursday, saying it would improve access to digital educational content and promote interactive learning among learners in Grades Seven and Nine.
He said all public junior secondary schools would benefit from the initiative, with each institution receiving a smartboard, laptop and mounted television to facilitate technology-enabled teaching.
“The devices let teachers present digital content, share concepts virtually and run more interactive lessons where schools are connected. Classes in different schools can share lessons and resources, and one teacher can teach several locations at the same time,” Kinama said.
He disclosed that more than 64,000 teachers had been trained through a national training model covering four to seven counties to support the effective implementation of the programme.
The initiative is funded by the World Bank through the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.
In Makueni County, 415 schools are expected to benefit across ten subcounties. Mbooni West has 47 schools, Mbooni East 51, Mukaa 39, Nzaui 57, Makueni 47, Makindu 32, Kibwezi 38, Kambu 37, Kathozweni 42 and Kilungu 26.
Meanwhile, ICT Authority Board member Richard Makenga said the government was investing in digital infrastructure to extend reliable internet connectivity to remote parts of the country.
Makenga said schools and health facilities would benefit from the planned rollout of 100,000 fibre connections, which aims to expand access to digital services nationwide.
He added that the government was also providing young people with opportunities to acquire practical skills through annual internship programmes.
“It is our mandate to ensure that we provide the digital infrastructure and ensure that access to reliable internet is provided and reaches every corner of the country,” Makenga said.
He emphasised that reliable connectivity was essential to ensuring that institutions and communities could fully benefit from digital transformation.
The National Class Experience programme is expected to be rolled out in public schools across the country, supporting efforts to integrate technology into teaching and learning.
Those present at the launch included Makueni Deputy County Commissioner Said Mwamzungu, County Director of Education Lucy Resiato, Teachers Service Commission County Director John Paul Wephoghe, representatives of KNUT and KUPPET, and the school’s principal, Onesmus Wambua.
by Patrick Nyakundi/James Muindi
