At least 2000 pupils from Nkaimurunya Comprehensive School in Kajiado County are set gain digital skills set which will improve their learning following launch of a Ksh 4.7 million smart library by Women In Technology and Innovation Africa and Rotary Club of Karen.
According to WITIA Founder and Chairperson Eunice Pohlmann, the smart library which is the first ever in the county targets to close the existing digital divide which continues to persists especially in public schools in underserved regions.
“Setting up this library will give access to over 1000 pupils who will come up with very innovative ideas and we hope this will spark curiosity and ensure that the future for these children is secured because with technology we can achieve a lot. The earlier we give access to technology to these young people the better and the more focused we are going to build successful societies,” said Pohlmann.
The smart library in Kajiado North Constituency which is WITIA’s pilot project targets to bring cutting-edge learning technology to learners under its “Smart Libraries for a Smart Nation,” which seeks to empower learners through digital access, innovation, and inclusive education.
The Smart Library which is equipped with modern computers, internet connectivity, and e-learning platforms, also provides both teachers and students access to global educational resources, fostering research, creativity, and technological fluency.
“We are achieving our agenda of educating a child in every school. This is one of the five schools we support and we were here less than a month ago and we partnered with Oxford and we were able to give the school more than 2000 books,” said Linet Ayuko, President Rotary Club of Karen.
Under the partnership with Oxford, Ayuko said Rotatory Club of Karen has ALSO distributed at least 117,000 books in Kenya and Ethiopia.
In a move aimed at encouraging sustainability of the smart library, WITIA also targets to undertake monitoring and evaluation to ensure proper utilization of the resources.
“We are inviting partners, well-wishers and donors to help us scale this up because as you know we are also trying to look at how we can help the government to bridge the digital divide and milestones on Sustainable Development Goals, and one of them is access to quality education,” added Dr Bella Namango Board Member, WITIA.
Speaking during the launch of the smart library, Ministry of Education Deputy Director for Primary Education Monica Kindi lauded the project as it aligns with the government’s digital literacy programme.
“The government is committed to offering digital literacy in all schools. Teachers have been capacity built towards this and at the same time, we have various initiatives that are going on. The digital literacy that are availed in schools have e-content in them that are derived from Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development,” she added.
WITIA has further committed to sponsor top girls in the school to enable them pursue higher education in technology, computer science and engineering.
