Children with special needs in Kenya will receive special digital tablets specially designed to suit their needs under the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP). Through the project, the Government will also ensure that children with various disabilities enrolled in special learning centres countrywide embrace modern technical skills which will make them globally competitive.
“Personally, I am physically challenged but that has not deterred me from accessing any service I need in the society,” the Principal Secretary for State Department of Special Programmes, Ms Josepheta Mukobe said.
Speaking while launching the DLP project in Kisii County, which was held at Buyonge Primary School, Ms. Mukobe said people with special needs should ask for their rights and entitlements in the society apart from pursuing their education to the highest level possible.
“Parents with children who require special teaching methods should not worry since the special learning centres will equip them with the appropriate technology and skills they require,” She added.
Ms. Mukobe said Kenya is driving towards the knowledge based economy through Vision 2030 development blueprint and will invest heavily in ICT as an enabler in achieving the set development goals. She urged parents to secure the digital tablets and collaborate with the security personnel in curbing theft cases related to school facilities.
Kisii Deputy Governor, Mr Joash Maangi said digital literacy is a must globally and Kenya cannot afford to be left behind, adding that the government’s DLP initiative is timely. The primary schools, which were issued with the digital tablets in Kisii, include Buyonge, Getembe, Machongo, Nyamonyo and Tendere.
While speaking at Wamba CCM primary in Samburu East Constituency, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Dr. Monica Juma said the government is committed to prepare Kenyan children to compete in the global market through digital literacy.
“We want Kenya to be a knowledge-based economy and that is why the government is investing in the digital education of our children,” Dr. Juma said.
The Principal Secretary said that ICT is driving knowledge production globally noting that Kenya has assumed a significant leadership role in ICT in the region. She issued 120 digital tablets to the school.
“We are leading the world in the mobile money transfer platform and these digital tablets have been programmed by our very own university students. This translates to growth in the ICT sector and hence more jobs for our digital savvy youth,” she said.