Government Kickstarts Schoolnet Programme

ICT Authority (ICTA)  has in collaboration with diverse industry stakeholders piloted SchoolNet project  targeting 9,600 students and 200 teachers in 13 schools across the country.

Noting that SchoolNet initiative was part of the government's efforts for sustainable solutions for school connectivity, Hon. Joe Mucheru, Cabinet Secretary (CS), Ministry of ICT, Innovation & Youth Affairs, asserted that it was also geared to exposing students to new learning tools and technology to develop effective self-directed learning and innovation skills. 

“The digital education system enables students to analyze what they need to know to be able to search and while utilizing online resources,” said Hon. Mucheru while launching the project at Maragima Primary School in Nyeri County. 

According to the Cabinet Secretary, piloting SchoolNet further gave the government to the opportunity to assess the school head teachers’ preparedness to digitalization, utilization of the Digital Literacy Programme Devices supplied by the Government, asses teachers’ competency on ICT Integration in education and verify availability of reliable power.

High-speed broadband

The launch of the project in both primary and secondary schools has been a month-long project exercise primed to ultimately connect schools countrywide to high-speed broadband and immensely boost learners’ digital and innovation skills. 

Maureen Mbaka, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of ICT, Innovation & Youth Affairs, said internet connectivity to learning institutions offers learners unlimited opportunities to access sources of authentic knowledge for use both in and out of class.

“The entire world is going digital and we cannot afford to remain behind,” said Mbaka stressing that sound technology, supported by fundamental digital facilities and systems in schools, plays an important role in the process of nation-building. “The SchoolNet educational support system is one of the initiatives that will help leapfrog the country into a front-line digital economy,” she said while launching the project in Sironga Girls Secondary and Primary Schools in Nyamira County.

In Bungoma County, Prof. Simon Nabukwesi, Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for University Education & Research,  led a team of government officials to launch the SchoolNet project at Friends School Kamusinga.

“The school has been paying Sh15, 000 for internet which at some point failed to serve the school as required, now the school has obtained high speed internet that will serve the school well,” Nabukwesi said.

“The school has been paying Sh15, 000 for internet which at some point failed to serve the school as required, now the school has obtained high speed internet that will serve the school well,” Nabukwesi said adding: “Accordingly, we must strive for inclusive education in India. To that end, it is necessary to address the challenge of the digital divide.”