Laptop plan set for launch next year

Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi (above) told Nation that the process of awarding tenders had reached a “critical stage” and that due diligence was being conducted to ensure a credible supplier is awarded the tender. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL

What you need to know:

  • The government has selected 61,000 teachers for training on technology-enabled learning ahead of the anticipated launch of the laptop project
  • Prof Kaimenyi said the response rate among teachers keen to be part of the one-laptop-per-child programme was overwhelming
  • Three foreign companies have been shortlisted for the supply of 1,203,539 pieces of learners’ laptops which will now cost the government Sh 25 billion
  • Three foreign companies have been shortlisted for the supply of 1,203,539 pieces of learners’ laptops which will now cost the government Sh 25 billion

The laptop project will be rolled out next year as planned.

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said on Monday teachers are expected to help in implementing the project were being trained to ensure its smooth uptake by primary schools countrywide.

The government has selected 61,000 teachers for training on technology-enabled learning ahead of the anticipated launch of the laptop project.

“We are through in training some 700 teachers in Nairobi County. By the time we implement the project within the first quarter of next year, all teachers identified for the project will have been trained,” said Prof Kaimenyi.

He was speaking during the presentation of the Kenya National Examination Council draft rules to education stakeholders spoke at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) in Nairobi on Monday.

The draft rules will facilitate the implementation of the Knec Act 2012, which is meant to streamline administration of national examinations.

Prof Kaimenyi said the response rate among teachers keen to be part of the one-laptop-per-child programme was overwhelming.

The tutors and the learners’ curriculums developed by KICD will be used in managing the programme which is President Kenyatta’s flagship project.

The Cabinet Secretary downplayed hitches that have been experienced in the award of the tender to supply the laptops.

“The government has to undertake site visits to see and determine if the company earmarked to supply the laptops has the capacity to produce the gadgets,” he said.

The laptops, he observed, would make Information Technology a way of learning and working.

“The laptop will make learning very interactive. It will be fun. The project is also expected to change the curriculum delivery processes and the assessment programmes,” he said.

Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang said there are several training centres being established in all the 47 counties to facilitate the project.

“We have embarked on training of tutors as we prepare for the launch of the project by February,” he said.

The PS said that the selected tutors were picked by the Teachers Service Commission and were expected to be ready for the project by end of January.

Three foreign companies have been shortlisted for the supply of 1,203,539 pieces of learners’ laptops which will now cost the government Sh 25 billion.

The negotiated price includes the cost of supplying 20,637 laptops for tutors and will see the government save Sh 10 billion compared to the last quotation in a tender cancelled last September where the lowest bidder quoted Sh 32 billion.

Indian device developers Olive Telecommunications Ltd is listed tops after it quoted the least price, while Chinese company Haier Electricals Appliances Corporation Limited is second and Hewlett Packard Limited from Europe (HP) is third.

While Olive has quoted Sh 22 billion for the learners’ laptop Haire is quoting Sh 24 billion and HP Sh 25 billion.

The negotiated price is still higher than the government’s budget for the learners’ laptop which is pegged on a Sh 9.8 billion budget.

Only Sh 17.5 billion was set aside in the current financial year for the laptop project including infrastructural development to facilitate the project.