Mombasa:Head teachers in Mvita Sub-County, Mombasa, are encouraged to ensure the safety and effective use of interactive smart boards and laptops introduced as part of the Digital Literacy Programme. This initiative is part of the broader Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), led by the ICT Authority.
According to Kenya News Agency, the programme aligns with the government’s digital transformation agenda, particularly the Digital Superhighway pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). In Mvita Sub-County, smart boards have been installed in 11 schools, including St Augustine Junior School and others such as Sparki, Mbaraki, and Bahari.
The initiative introduces technology to junior school learners, fostering digital literacy and innovation skills. During a session at St. Augustine Junior School, parents and teachers observed a live demonstration of the smart boards by a trained teacher. The boards feature capabilities like handwriting recognition, wireless projection, and video conferencing.
Mvita Sub-County Director of Education Ali Buthul confirmed the installation of the smart boards in 11 schools and noted the enthusiasm among teachers and learners. He emphasized the devices’ role in making education more interactive and seamless, allowing teachers to incorporate internet content into lessons and enabling students to learn computer skills.
Buthul stressed the importance of protecting the devices from environmental elements to ensure their longevity. He expressed hope that the programme would be expanded to all junior schools nationwide.
St Augustine Junior School’s head teacher, Rhoda Katana, mentioned that the devices were installed last term, and students have been actively using them. The school has set up a designated room for the smart board, used as a learning lab, and two teachers have been trained to operate the devices, integrating them into classroom instruction.
