Kirinyaga: Kirinyaga County has partnered with other stakeholders to extend digital skills to Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners in the area. The county has enlisted the support of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM), the Ministry of Education, Zizi Afrique Foundation, and Ollin Sacco to introduce structured digital learning in ECDE centres.
According to Kenya News Agency, the collaboration is designed to modernize teaching and learning at the foundational level, ensuring that young learners and their teachers are better prepared for an increasingly digital world. The digital learning programme will begin with a pilot phase in five ECDE centres before scaling up to all 200 centres across the county, ultimately benefiting more than 16,000 learners.
At the same time, 401 ECDE teachers are undergoing a two-week intensive digital literacy training at Kiamikuyu Polytechnic to build their capacity to deliver technology-enabled lessons in line with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Kirinyaga Deputy Governor David Githanda said the partnership demonstrates the county’s strong commitment to strengthening early learning by equipping both teachers and learners with modern skills.
Githanda explained that society is becoming increasingly digital, making it essential for learners and teachers to acquire 21st-century skills. He said the digital learning initiative will ensure educators are well-grounded in how young children absorb knowledge and how to support their growth in a dynamic learning environment. He highlighted that the training will enable teachers to nurture competencies through play and discovery, helping them design child-centred activities that respond to individual learning needs.
The Deputy Governor added that the programme will also strengthen teachers’ ability to assess learners based on skills rather than memorized content. This, he said, will help educators interpret learning outcomes accurately, plan daily lessons more effectively, and align classroom practices with national education standards. Githanda affirmed that ECDE teachers play a central role in shaping the character, confidence, and development of a child.
Ministry of Education representative Martin Kungania has lauded Kirinyaga County’s bold step to integrate digital technology into early childhood education. He noted that the move places the county at the forefront of national education reforms, emphasizing the critical role of ICT in preparing young learners for a technology-driven world. Kungania further emphasized that Kirinyaga’s commitment sends a strong signal to other counties.
Acting Education CECM Millicent Ngari said integrating digital tools into ECDE will enrich teaching, support cognitive development, and make classroom activities more engaging. She noted that interactive content helps children learn in ways that reflect their real environment. KNATCOM CEO Dr. David Njogu, speaking on behalf of UNESCO, lauded Kirinyaga County for taking a bold step that aligns with UNESCO’s global agenda on digital transformation in education.
Teachers participating in the training described the programme as transformative. Simon Kariuki from Raimu ECDE Centre noted that digital lessons are set to increase classroom engagement while enhancing teacher ICT competence. Similarly, Winnie Wairimu from Kimbimbi ECDE Centre observed that interactive digital learning stimulates creativity and problem-solving in children, making lessons more engaging and relevant to real-life situations.
