No funds allocated to finance school broadcast programme

No funds have so far been allocated from the Ministry of ICT to finance delivery of lessons through the radio and television platform.

Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, however,  says Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has been coordinating broadcasting of lessons through Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and EDU Channel.

Mucheru was responding to questions by the Senate committee on education, which tasked the CS to explain whether any funds have been allocated to finance delivery of lessons through KBC’s radio and TV platform.

“No funds have so far been allocated from the Ministry of ICT, however KICD has been coordinating broadcasting of lessons through KBC and EDU Channel,” said the CS.

To provide for remote learning, the CS said the Ministry has developed a “fit for purpose” device adaptable for home schooling in the Kenyan context.

He said this is being undertaken by Public Universities and Kenya innovators using existing Innovation and Incubation Centres.

“It is envisaged that the Country can develop a school computing devices that accrue the benefit of technological innovations and improvement and ownership of intellectual property rights by Kenyans,” said the CS.

He said they have also developed a school net programme meant to connect schools to internet services, which is in addition to National ICT Infrastructure Masterplan meant to guide deployment of broadband connectivity across the country.

Already over 1,000 schools have been identified under Phase 1 of Schoolnet connectivity project being implemented by UNICEF.

The project was to commence this month and run through June 2021. Connection to internet of the 1,500 schools along the National Optic Fibre Backbone infrastructure (NOFBI) is due to commence.

The CS made the remarks as he explained to Senators the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) is being implemented in three phases.

He said implementation of DLP I, expected between 2016 and 2020, provided digital devices with preinstalled digital interactive content for lower primary, grades 1 to 3.

“This phase emphasised the need for learners “learning to use” the technology. The objective of the phase was to expose learners to friendly technology to encourage early adoption.

He said implementation of phase two of DLP is already underway and is expected to run through to 2023.

“The DLP II targets providing advanced learner digital devices for upper primary, grades 4 to 6.

This phase emphasizes the need for learners “using to learn” the technology,” he told Senators.

Phase Two is to expose learners to technological tools for learning to enhance creativity and innovation.

Technology itself is enhanced devices with keyboard and appropriate software tools to enable creativity and innovation.

The deployment model is a shared smart lab with required infrastructure and tools.

For DLP Phase III (2023 – 2029), Muchery said it targets advanced learners from grade 7 and above with the purpose of facilitating learners using the technology to produce.

“The objective is to facilitate learners to shape their concepts towards production.

It is imperative that the momentum to sustain learner achievements on learning to use technology is maintained through a comprehensive Programme that considers higher order skills on use of technology and use for learning,” explained Mucheru.

The advanced technology and tools will enable mentorship of ideas and production, enhance creativity and critical thinking.

 “DLP phases II and III are critical to building on investments and achievements of DLP Phase.

These subsequent phases are expected to prioritize adaptation and inclusive technologies in order to meet the requirements for learners with special needs and disabilities,” he added.