Ministry moves to scale up digital skills among teacher trainees

A programme to scale up digital skills among teacher trainees was on Thursday launched at the Machakos Teachers Training College.

The programme by the Ministry of Education in conjunction with Safaricom Foundation and Vodafone targets to equip computer labs in 35 TTCs across the country by the year 2026.

Eight(8) computer labs each in Machakos, Egoji, Kamwenja, Shanzu, <wbr>Kericho, Eregi, Asumbi, and Garrissa TTCs have so far been equipped in the first phase.

Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos Ogamba and Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joe Ogutu presided over the Machakos TTC ceremony attended by County Commissioner Josephine Ouko and Machakos TTC Principal Joyce Mabwai among other dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, CS Ogamba said the integration of ICT in education programme was timely coming at a time when the new Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) targets to equip teacher trainees with ICT competencies.

"There's need to utilise ICT as a pedagogical tool in learning to enable teachers to survive in the rapidly dynamic 21st Century classroom," said Mr Ogamba.

Safaricom Foundation Chairman Mr Ogutu said the objective of the programme is to enhance educational outcomes by strengthening teacher and learner competencies.

The programme funded at a cost of Sh240 million includes 42 desktop computers, HP server which powers 42 devices, two(2) projectors and screens. There are two(2) access points for Wi-Fi internet access at Machakos TTC.

Mr Ogutu said the Foundation will also support 600 primary schools across the country to have ICT labs which will also be available to the local communities as resource centres.

He said the Foundation donates between 400 to 600 computers every year.

Machakos TTC--MATECO--Principal Ms Mabwai said the college with a population of 1,045 teacher trainees and 50 teaching staff, now boasts of two(2) fully refurbished and equipped computer labs which will scale up digital literacy and quality training at the institution founded in 1958.