Over 8,000 learners from Grade Four to Grade Nine in Turkana County will be equipped with digital literacy skills, including coding, through the Advancing Computer Skills in Schools Project, which targets 12 primary and junior schools in the county.
The project, funded by the Raspberry Pi Foundation through the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), began in July 2024 with 10 schools in Lodwar. A corresponding number of teachers were trained on the Foundation’s Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development -approved curriculum.
As of the beginning of the second term in May 2025, the project has expanded to include two new schools and five additional teachers. The newly added schools are Nadapal in Loima Sub-County and Lokichar Girls in Turkana South.
Speaking at the conclusion of the two-day teacher training, Chief Officer for Education and Social Protection, Paul Ekeno Lodunga, assured of the county government’s support for the project, noting its role in assisting local learners remain competitive.
“With strengthened partnerships such as with EIDU, the Digital Literacy Initiative targeting early childhood education centres means that digital literacy can begin with the youngest learners,” he said.
He added that the project was planting a seed of innovation, creativity and prosperity among the learners as digital skills becomes an essential part of education.
FCDC Education and Governance Sector Lead, Abdullahi Hassan Maalim, said that the project is committed to ensuring learners are future-ready by equipping them with digital skills.
“FCDC is seeking to formalize partnerships with the Ministries of Education and ICT to support this project. So long as the organisation recognizes the importance of project’s acceptance, then support will follow,” he said.
Turkana County’s Department of Education Quality Assurance Chief Officer, Levi Amusha, noted that information communications and Technology (ICT) was transforming education and emphasized the government’s commitment to integrating ICT across the curriculum.
He urged teachers to embrace creativity and innovation in delivering the program, adding that there were plans to begin integration from pre-school level.
The Chief Officer also encouraged trained teachers to pass on their digital literacy skills to their colleagues to widen the project’s impact.
The training, facilitated by Turkana County ICT Officer Washington Malala, geared to update the 20 participants on revised curriculum.
The original 10 schools involved in the project are Napuu, Canaan, Kanamkemer, Nakwamekwi, Nabulon Girls, Alfred Powery, Bishop Mahon, Lodwar Mixed, St. Michael Kawalase and St. Monica Lodwar Girls.
By Peter Gitonga
