Class One pupils to receive laptops on Monday

What you need to know:

  • JKuat and Moi University will provide laptops, routers and servers in this pilot phase.

  • JKuat and Moi University will deliver 600,000 laptops to some schools by June in the first phase.

  • Portuguese firm JP SA Couto, in partnership with Moi University, will supply the laptops to 26 counties.

Class One pupils in 150 selected schools countrywide will have their first laptops delivered on Monday next week, as the Sh17 billion project begins to be rolled out.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Moi University will provide laptops, routers and servers in this pilot phase.

They will then move on to deliver 600,000 laptops to some schools by June in the first phase .

While the Portuguese firm JP SA Couto, in partnership with Moi University, will supply the laptops to 26 counties.

JKUAT, together with Positivo BGH (a joint venture between an Argentinian and Brazilian firm), will supply the gadgets to 21 counties.

“The commencement of the proof of concept starts on February 22,” said ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru at a press briefing yesterday.

“The proof of concept phase seeks to allow the successful bidders to demonstrate their capacity to implement the full project to all the 22,000 schools. The phase will last 12 weeks,” he added.

VETTING

During this phase, the ministry will gauge the ability of the suppliers to deliver on schedule and adhere to specifications of the devices.

In addition, the two suppliers will be vetted on their strength to successfully install and test content and the devices, as well as their support to schools, to ensure the project runs optimally.

Chances of failing during the pilot stage are limited since both JP SA Couto and Positivo BGH have been involved in similar projects worldwide on several occasions.

JKUAT’s partner in the tender, Positivo BGH, has delivered similar projects in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Rwanda. The firm is also touted to have technology that can design gadgets that withstand rough handling.

A Portuguese diplomat, Mr Francisco Xavier, told the Nation that JP Couto has vast experience in work similar to the Digital Literacy Project. “They provide laptops and other IT solutions to schools. They have done this in other countries, including Portugal, the country I represent in Kenya,” said Mr Xavier.

The security of the gadgets in schools has emerged as a main concern, and the Interior ministry has been asked to help when the need arises.

The contractors will involve the community in the project to ensure they view the gadgets as theirs so that there are no issues of theft and vandalism.