Busia:The government has distributed 231 Interactive Smart Boards (ISBs) to public junior schools in Busia County to enhance digital learning. This initiative is supported by the World Bank and targets all learners in junior schools across the country to integrate digital technology into education.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy are responsible for distributing these gadgets. The remaining 215 schools in Busia County are expected to receive the smart boards in the second phase of the program. The Principal Secretary for Economic Planning, Boniface Makokha, emphasized the program’s implementation across 10,382 public junior schools nationwide in its first phase.
Out of 446 public primary schools in Busia County, 231 have already received interactive smart boards. Additionally, there are plans to install public wifi in seven modern markets across the county to improve technology access for residents. The government has also committed to establishing digital hubs in wards throughout the country, with 316 already set up through the NG-CDF, including 13 in Busia alone.
Mary Oichoe, Busia County Director of Education, urged teachers to embrace ICT and work with the new gadgets effectively. She commended the Teachers’ Service Commission for training teachers in technology use. At Burumba Junior School, eight teachers have been trained to use the smart boards, with plans to disseminate this knowledge widely.
Jackson Ongeto, Busia County Director for the Teachers’ Service Commission, highlighted the role of the ICT Authority, the World Bank, and the Teachers’ Service Commission in advancing digital literacy. He noted that over 1,252 teachers have been trained to use digital gadgets in Busia County. Ongeto encouraged teachers to continue honing their skills and emphasized responsible interaction with technology for both teachers and students.
Robert Maleya, Busia Sub County Director for Quality Assurance, expressed that the introduction of these gadgets will make learning more engaging and help keep students enrolled in schools.
