Public school students to start coding after courses are approved
Public school students plan to start coding after new coding courses are approved. The ICT Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding with education technology company Kodris Africa to implement the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) curriculum in schools.
Implementation of the Kenya National Digital Master Plan follows the approval of the coded content by the Kenya Curriculum Development Institute. The Digital Literacy Program has been identified as a flagship project, and the DLP Technology Implementation Committee, the ICT Authority, and the Ministry of Education have selected the first batch of schools to pilot the coded content.
The government has distributed laptops to some students in public schools as part of the DLP.
“We have already distributed more than 1.2 million laptops for learners in public schools in Kenya as well as connected electricity and teacher devices to more than 22,000 schools. Now that KICD has approved content that can be used with this infrastructure we will select schools where we will pilot this curriculum support content in the country. The Government’s ICT programme will change the lives of learners,” said ICTA Acting CEO Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh.
During the signing of the MoU at the ICT Authority’s office in Telposta Towers, Ronoh added that the country currently has two factories that manufacture digital equipment.
“With Kodris Africa Content approved digital content, there is no doubt that Kenya is ready to take it to the next level. Not only is this a useful initiative, but it also is transformative and the Authority is delighted to be part of ensuring the success of the project partners,” he said. The ICT Authority’s Digital Literacy Programme equips schools with internet-connected computers and tablets to facilitate children’s learning. Incorporating coding into the school curriculum will improve children’s technical skills and prepare them for the ever-changing world of technology.
“This novel programming content is a valuable addition to the education community, helping to improve the worldview of the learners involved. We started in Kenya, but we are rolling out to 49 other African countries as well,” Kodris Africa CEO Mugumo Munene said.
The signing of the agreement comes a month after the Kenyan ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru announced the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032, a framework for harnessing and expanding the ICT sector’s contribution to socio-economic growth. In an increasingly computerized and interconnected world, coding and computer programming are becoming increasingly important job skills that students will need to be competitive in todays and future job markets.
The Kodris course is delivered to students through an online interactive studio and is the only interactive programming course of its kind in the world that is Pearson-accredited. It was approved by KICD for use in Kenyan schools on April 19.
