Sh1.2 billion sent to schools for ICT storage
What you need to know:
- President Kenyatta says the money has been transferred to 21,458 schools.
- This comes ahead of the rollout of the laptop project.
More than Sh1.2 billion has been transferred to 21,458 schools for the construction of information and communications technology hardware storage rooms ahead of the rollout of the laptop project, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.
In his State of the Nation speech in Parliament, the President said more than 2,500 teachers have also undergone ICT training.
“This action will provide a qualified workforce that guarantees the swift rollout of the laptop project,” he added.
President Kenyatta said a total of 18,424 schools have been connected to the grid while the remaining 3,076 schools will be connected by the end of April.
Two years ago, he said only 8,200 out of 21,500 schools had been connected.
President Kenyatta said in the last two years, more primary schools have been connected to electricity than had been since independence.
“The provision of power further accelerates the already rapid penetration of Internet connectivity, linking our people to knowledge and far-off opportunities,” he said.
FREE EDUCATION
The President reiterated his government's commitment to implementing free primary school education, saying it offers a ladder for Kenyan children to obtain employable skills and allow them to become active citizens.
President Kenyatta said the government had scrapped examination fees and capped school fees for secondary schools.
“We have also increased budgetary allocation from Sh30 billion in 2013/14 to Sh40 billion this year, with the objective of rolling out free and compulsory primary and secondary school education in the next 5 years,” he said.
