Primary school pupils finally get much-awaited laptops
Ms Caroline Minayo, Class One teacher at Butere Primary School in Kakamega County introduces her pupils to digital tablets on May 3, 2016 as the government lived up to its 2013 election pledge of the free laptops for schools project. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Class One pupils are the first beneficiaries of the gadgets.
- The project was part of the promises given by the Jubilee administration during the 2013 campaigns.
- The delay in honouring the pledge has made the opposition to criticise Jubilee.
- All primary schools were set to be connected to electricity by June 2016 in anticipation of the rollout of the laptops project.
Butere Primary School in Kakamega County is among the first schools to benefit from the pilot free primary schools laptop project.
At least 150 urban, peri-urban and rural schools across the country have received the gadgets as the government moves to fulfil the promise made by Jubilee in 2013.
Butere Primary School has a population of 1,180 pupils, with Class One being the beneficiaries of the gadgets.
A total 78 tablets were given to the school’s Class One pupils.
“The entire school is excited by the move and we are very sure that learners will be privileged [just] like the ones schooling in urban areas,” said Ms Nancy Muruka, a trainer of teachers.
“Digital content in the computers will enhance skills of teamwork and bring with it innovativeness and creativity,” said Mr James Osiema, the school’s headteacher.
The project was part of the promises given by the Jubilee administration during the 2013 campaigns.
The delay in honouring the pledge has made the opposition to criticise Jubilee, accusing the ruling coalition of failure to fulfil pre-election promises.
All primary schools were set to be connected to the national electricity grid by June 2016 in anticipation of the rollout of the laptops project but according to recent statistics, 20 per cent of schools are without basic necessities.
