Bungoma: Information and Communication Technology Venture in Primary Schools

Written by Saenyi Daniel School children in a computer lab /Photo/Courtesy. Thirty five schools have each received Sh 100,000 to purchase computers by the ministry of Education to upgrade their education standards which have been dwindling. However, it was revealed that despite the positive strides in the education sector geared to achieving the Vision 2030, the county still has lots of challenges to overcome. Mr. Kennedy Nganga, the KNUT Bungoma Executive secretary said that even with these developments the education system in Bungoma has many challenges.Mr. Kennedy Nganga, the KNUT Bungoma Executive secretary addressing parents, teachers and pupils at Moi DEB primary during the issuing of cheques for purchase of computers. “We have many challenges that are facing us as teachers in Bungoma, the biggest challenges are transfers, and some of the ICT trained teachers are being transferred to other schools leaving some schools without ICT trained teachers. For these upgrade to be successful, teachers need to stay in their schools, we need teachers, not transfers,” said Mr. Nganga. Similarly, a programme has been initiated where teachers will be funded for advancing their skills to be able to deal with the new technological integration brought about by the new dynamics in the education sector. The government has also been urged to prioritize the development of the ICT sector by introducing it even in the most remote areas so that vision 2030 is not only achieved in the major cities in the country. As not all schools will be able to receive the ICT upgrade, five high schools which have electricity in every area will act as a resource centre where primary schools will go for their computer lessons. There will be 20 ICT trained teachers in every High School to help out whenever they are needed. The 35 schools are just the beginning of the upgrade process as 36 schools are set to receive computers as of the beginning of next year. The development of school s in Bungoma County started a few months ago as Mupeli Primary School received Shs 69.3 million to build classes and buy education materials for the school courtesy of donors from Japan. Politics could not stay out of this event as the MP for Kanduyi made clear stand on the issue of paying taxes. Mr. Khangati said that he does not support MP’s paying tax because they help out the society with their money. “We use our money to help out the society more than anyone else so if we pay taxes we won’t have money to give out. This issue of paying tax is always brought up after every budget meeting just to put citizens off the trail of how the money was allocated. The ministry of finance is using this to cover up the fact that most of the money is allocated to the central province,” Said Mr. Khangati.