NORTHERN KENYA – In a significant stride towards enhancing digital literacy, approximately 14,000 schoolchildren in Northern Kenya are set to receive computing lessons. This initiative, a collaboration between the Raspberry Pi Foundation, the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), and the M-Lugha Foundation, aims to equip young students in the region’s arid areas with essential digital skills.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative targets children aged 8-14 across eight counties within the FCDC jurisdiction. The Raspberry Pi Foundation has developed a comprehensive Computing Curriculum specifically adapted and contextualized for Northern Kenya to facilitate the instruction of computing to students. This initiative also includes a robust teacher training program designed to empower 80 educators with the necessary skills and resources to effectively teach these courses.
The training resources, crafted by specialists, include lesson plans, slides, activity sheets, homework, and assessments, all aligned with the national Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). A notable aspect of the curriculum adaptation is the translation of key terms into local languages such as Somali, Borana, and Turkana, which will be handled by the M-Lugha Foundation. This approach ensures the materials are accessible and relatable to the students, supporting better understanding and engagement.
The FCDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Idle Omar Farah, highlighted the significant role of educational technology in addressing learning challenges in frontier communities, particularly those exacerbated by climate-related disruptions such as droughts and floods. Farah pointed out that enhancing digital literacy is crucial in developing resilient educational solutions in the region.
Additionally, the program involves a ‘Train the Trainer’ model where eight government county coordinators, trained by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, will subsequently train local school teachers. These educators will then be equipped to confidently deliver the curriculum to the 14,000 students, ensuring that children in rural communities receive the same quality of education as their counterparts in more urban areas like Mombasa.
Dr. Mohammed Abdinoor, a researcher and educationist speaking at the summit, emphasized the importance of leadership in the success of educational initiatives. He pointed out that many schools in the northeastern province struggle due to poor leadership, which significantly hampers progress.
This digital literacy initiative marks a critical step towards bridging the educational and digital divide in Northern Kenya, promising enhanced opportunities and future readiness for thousands of young learners in the region.