MoE Put To Task Over Laptop Project Ahead Of CBC Roll Out
The ministry of education (MoE) has been put to task over the multi-billion shillings laptops program for public primary schools.
The Jubilee multi-billion shilling laptops program for public schools came into sharp focus as MPs questioned the viability of the Jubilee government pet project.
According to the MPs, the challenges associated with the new competency-based curriculum (CBC) come as a result failed rollout of the laptops in schools. The MPs argued if the program was successful, it would have supported the new curriculum.
Further, the MPs said that the laptop project would also help parents to participate effectively in their children’s homework if the digital literacy programme was well implemented.
The Parliament committee has revealed that up to date the ministry of education has only released one million laptops to various public primary schools. They also raised concerns about how the new curriculum would be implemented.
Education PS Julius Jwan appeared before the education committee on behalf of Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha where he responded to several issues which were raised by the members of Parliament.
Kirinyaga Central MP John Wambugu questioned what measures the ministry of education has put in place to bridge the digital literacy divide among learners and the steps the ministry has taken to ensure continuous training in line with digital literacy for all teachers.
Honourable Wambugu also noted that not all parents and guardians are literate enough to help learners with school work. He asked whether there is a CBC syllabus for parents to enable them to understand what they are exactly required.
Nominated MP and former KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion said the ministry needs to provide a proper analysis of CBC so that everyone can be well prepared.
In response to the above-raised issues, PS Jwan said it would be misleading to say the ministry has not honoured its promise.
Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma said several learners have been denied an opportunity to be given Helb loans for lack of national identity card or KRA PIN since they have not attained the minimum required age of 18 years.
Helb CEO Charles Ringera responded that the biggest hurdle of the budget in the sector is not age but financial constraints.
