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The government will strengthen its partnership with Microsoft in its efforts to align the education system with digital technology.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said yesterday his ministry will map out all areas of partnership with the company, with the aim of opening up a limitless digital space for the youth.

“The government wants to establish internet connectivity in counties, sub-counties and eventually all over the country in order to open space for online jobs for our youth,” CS said, when officials from Microsoft paid him a courtesy call in his office yesterday.

Machogu said the country is in the process of developing an open university, digital laboratories and books integrated systems saying partnerships from digital companies will boost government initiatives.

“One of the flagship initiatives that the Kenya Kwanza administration is currently undertaking to enhance access to affordable university education is the establishment of the National Open University of Kenya .

The National Open University will make university education more affordable, accessible, and attainable to all students, no matter their location or income level,” said the CS.

Microsoft Director of Education in Africa Alice Ng’ang’a said they have had several paths of collaboration with the Ministry and will continue to partner to improve the digital space.

“We are not new to the Ministry. We have worked closely before and we can only increase our areas of partnership,” said Nganga.

She said they have successfully worked with several agencies under the Ministry of Education in areas of digitization and automation, including the Teachers Service Commission, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and the Kenya National Examination Council.