Nairobi: The government has commenced the distribution of laptops and interactive smartboards to 10,382 public junior schools across the country. Each school receives one laptop and one interactive smartboard, aiming to strengthen digital learning and support the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative under the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP) marks a significant milestone in the nation’s digital transformation agenda and efforts to modernize education. The launch ceremony, held at the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) in Nairobi, brought together senior government officials, education stakeholders, development partners, and representatives from the ICT sector.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke emphasized the government’s commitment to preparing learners for a technology-driven future. He highlighted that the initiative is part of the government’s broader vision to build a digitally connected, knowledge-driven economy under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The programme complements ongoing investments under the Digital Superhighway Programme, which includes the rollout of 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure and the establishment of 1,450 digital hubs across all wards in Kenya.
Isaboke stressed the importance of digital inclusion, ensuring learners in remote regions have access to the same opportunities as those in urban centres. He also called for the responsible use of technology in schools, urging stakeholders to protect educational infrastructure amid recent incidents of school unrest and fires.
Outgoing Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok described the launch as a historic moment for the education sector, identifying technology and equity as critical priorities in delivering quality education. Bitok announced plans to connect every school to digital learning infrastructure and emphasized the need to retrain teachers to effectively utilize emerging technologies in classrooms.
ICT Authority Board Chairperson Lily Ng’ok described the programme as a strategic investment in Kenya’s future workforce. She noted that the initiative reflects successful collaboration between the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy; the Ministry of Education, the World Bank, ICT Authority, and other implementing partners.
Chairperson of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, John Kiarie, challenged educators to rethink the role of teachers in the digital classroom. He urged educators to prepare learners to participate in the entire technology value chain, from innovation and manufacturing to entrepreneurship and leadership.
ICT Authority Chief Executive Officer Jessy Maruti stated that the success of the programme would be measured by the impact on teaching and learning outcomes, not merely by the number of devices distributed. The government has already laid more than 34,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable and connected over 8,000 public institutions to the internet as part of the national target of 100,000 kilometres.
