Abstract:
Kenya’s Vision 2030 recognizes the enabling role of
Information and Communication Technology (
ICT
)
and anchors some
of its key aspirations upon the availability and adoption of computers for schools. The overall objective of this strategy pa
per
is to provide direction for acquisition of equitable and efficient laptop computers to all pupils in public p
rimary schools.
The
existing education policy on ICT is imbedded in three documents namely; e
-
Government Strategy, National ICT Policy and
Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2005 which is a Policy Framework for Education, Training and Research. There is a need there
fore
to consolidate these documents into one. The overall objective of the consolidation is to merge and integrate education polic
y
on ICT including the scope, usage, administration and ways to address innovations and attendant Intellectual Property Rights
.
In the process of strategic planning for utilizing ICT in education, key stakeholders require to be consulted. In addition to
the above mentioned, specific stakeholders include the National ICT integration and innovation Centre, Kenya Institute for
Curri
culum Development,
Center for Mathematics, Science and Education in Africa
, Teacher Service Commission, Primary
Teacher Training Institutions, Universities and the National ICT Steering Committee. The strategy identifies the following
as key weaknesses tha
t hamper the implementation of ICT projects: slow integration of ICT in operations and programs;
inadequate human and financial resources in some key service areas to meet the rapidly growing work
-
related demands. In
addition there exists lack of appropria
te learning facilities and/or infrastructure in some education and training institutions
and inadequate number of trainers in modern technology coupled with a mismatch of skills learnt and demands of the labour
market. It is also noted that the legal frame
work is
non
-
harmonized
and this inhibits the performance of
Ministry of
Education, Science and Technology
. Further, a number of policy frameworks are yet to be operationalized thus hampering
delivery of services. The strategy also identifies a
Strategic Mo
del for Laptop Project and an implementation matrix.