- KICTANet - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses
by Betty Ogange 25 Jun '09

25 Jun '09

Hallo David, Last week there was furore in this forum about media misrepresentation of the Kenyan situation. The article that you make reference to in today’s Standard (24.06.09) may be accurate in the areas that you have highlighted. However, I wish to take issue with a few points raised in the article. http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316 ‘Unlike other academic fields, very little has been done to train most teachers in ICT skills. Currently, no primary teacher training college offers comprehensive pre-service training in information technology.’ Anyone with a modest interest in education in Kenya would not miss something as obvious as a subject in the national curriculum when reporting in a national daily. Prior to the year 2004, a few colleges had ICT skills courses for pre-service teachers based on in-house curricula that were independently developed by each college. The Primary Teacher Education (PTE) ICT curriculum developed by the Kenya Institute of Education has been in force since the year 2004 and ICT is taught as a compulsory subject in all primary teacher training colleges. It is examined internally at the end of the first year and all students must pass in the subject, among other subjects, in order to proceed to second year. There are several implementation hitches in this programme arising from the fact that ICT is being taught as a discrete subject in the curriculum and has yet to be mainstreamed in the other subjects in the PTE curriculum. The debate around ICT- pedagogy integration in education and how to operationalise it right from curriculum development to classroom level implementation continues in the education circles. ‘In-service training is often provided by trainers who are just barely literate in computers’ In my knowledge, this has happened especially in instances when some hardware providers ‘dangle’ teacher training as an additional offer to the institution. TTCs used to hire ICT technicians to teach the course, but in the last 2 years, the Teacher Service Commission has posted trained lecturers of ICT to a number of TTCs. There have also been some highly professional training offered to college lecturers by Microsoft (in conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Technology - IAT) and the Kenya Technical Teachers College. Computers for Schools Kenya and the Nepad e-schools teacher training programmes have also reached teachers in selected secondary schools. Lack of co-ordination (as with the rest of the ICT initiatives in Kenya ), lack of clear training targets and time-lines have compromised continuity and impact of some of these training programmes. ‘The entire ICT education is in tatters’ An interesting analogy there. But I see a sector that is struggling with what some scholars in educational reform have called an ‘implementation dip’ – that for a number of reasons things normally tend to get worse before they can get better. There are lots of difficulties in implementing large scale ICT initiatives in the education sector world over. In our country, there have been positive efforts by the Ministry of Education, the KIE and a number of stakeholders in education, and these do count. On the other hand, there has been the tendency (by education leaders) towards elaborate policy documents, ‘ICT networks’ and trust funds whose mandates remain indeterminate. All these need to be researched and accurately presented. Accurate reporting by the media and objective analysis of both the positives and difficulties are important in helping the public target their attention and effort. Besides the inaccuracies, the use of expressions such as ‘in tatters’ ‘the situation is bad’, ‘alarmed professionals’ ‘obsolete hardware’ to describe ICT in education in Kenya sounds to me fairly sensational. Betty --- On Wed, 6/24/09, David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> Subject: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses To: ogange(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 9:32 AM .....universities offer many degrees but their quality and market demand differ...... Although nearly all universities offer degrees, only the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Strathmore have Master’s programmes and only UON and Jkuat teach at doctoral level. There is a diminishing number of staff with PhDs in ICT departments. According to Prof Rodrigues, UoN has the highest number of full-time lecturers with PhDs in ICT that stands at eight of 18, while Jkuat has three of six, which is the same number for Strathmore. Kenyatta University has nine full-time but none of them have a PhD or an equivalent qualification, while none of the Kabarak’s eight lecturers have a PhD. Two of six of United States International University has doctoral degrees. Many lecturers have no experience as ICT professionals as engineers, software developers or in the emerging area of computer and network security. See http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316& for full story -- David Otwoma, Chief Science Secretary, National Council for Science and Technology, Utalii House 9th Floor, Mobile tel: +254 722 141771, Office tel: +254 (0)20 2346915, P. O. Box 5687 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya email: otwomad(a)gmail.com & otwoma(a)ncst.go.ke www.ncst.go.ke -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: ogange(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ogange%40yahoo.com

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Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Sea Pirates delay SEACOM launch
by Muriuki Mureithi 25 Jun '09

25 Jun '09

FYI ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Abi <abi.jagun(a)gmail.com> To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> Sent: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:47:13 +0300 (EAT) Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] Sea Pirates delay SEACOM launch Source: http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=2815 Sea Pirates delay SEACOM launch June 24, 2009 in Broadband SEACOM_brian2.jpgThe increase in pirate activity during April and May 2009, both in terms of intensity and geographical coverage, necessitated a change in SEACOM’s cable installation plans which resulted in a delay in the ready for service date from 27 June 2009 to 23 July 2009. The planned route required the ship to transit an area of increased pirate activity where other ships had been attacked or seized. The cable deployment in the troublesome waters has since been completed and splicing to connect the section of cable from Mumbai to Africa is expected shortly. Testing of the larger cable system will be finalised shortly thereafter. The cable section from South Africa (Mtunzini) to Kenya (Mombasa), including all south and east African landing stations, has already undergone successful testing. In the meantime, SEACOM is working with its contractor, Tyco Telecommunications, to find ways of accelerating the outstanding works and bring forward the ready for service date ahead of 23 July 2009. Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO, said: “Due to sensitivities around piracy issues, their impact on the project timeline was only fully established recently and whilst I am personally truly disappointed by the delay, it was imperative that strong measures be put in place to guarantee the successful completion of the cable system and the safety of the ship and its crews. “This setback should however be seen against the herculean efforts made by the team to see this project come to fruition over an incredibly tight schedule of only 18 months. We remain extremely excited and look forward to witnessing the huge difference that affordable, high quality and plentiful bandwidth will have throughout eastern and southern Africa.“ _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses
by Walubengo J 25 Jun '09

25 Jun '09

I agree that something is happening within the High-School teaching fraternity. Last April, Multimedia University College trained 80 high school headteachers from Samburu and I think Transmara Districts, giving them basic ICT skills...am aware Strathmore University, IAT etc also do such trainings regularly...It may not be enough, but its definitely a good kick in the right direction. As for the University Level IT faculty staff. Unfortunately the statistics are likely to be true. You can count the number of IT Professors in this country on your three fingers ;-) walu. --- On Wed, 6/24/09, Barnabas K. Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> wrote: > From: Barnabas K. Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 11:32 PM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Betty, > > > > Thanks for your response on the article > mentioned below. Will go > through it and perhaps respond on key issues raised, which > ICT in Education has > already done or planned. I hope it will minimize fears all > of us have or may be > persuaded to think all is totally misplaced and lost. > > > > > “ICT Integration” is currently Ministry > of Education focus, and > steps already put in place are expected to make Kenya > improve both teaching and > learning environment, with better education ‘products’ > across all levels. > > > > Kind regards > > > > B. K. Sang > > > > > > > > From: > kictanet-bounces+bksang=education.go.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+bksang=education.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] > On > Behalf Of Betty Ogange > > Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 4:31 PM > > To: Barnabas K. Sang > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality > - We lack an > accreditation system for ICT courses > > > > > > > > > Hallo David, > Last week there was furore in this forum > about media > misrepresentation of the Kenyan situation. The article > that you make > reference to in today’s Standard (24.06.09) may be > accurate in the areas that > you have highlighted. However, I wish to take issue with > a few points raised > in the article. http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316 > > ‘Unlike other academic fields, very > little has been done > to train most teachers in ICT skills. Currently, no > primary teacher training > college offers comprehensive pre-service training in > information technology.’ > > Anyone with a modest interest in education in > Kenya would not > miss something as obvious as a subject in the national > curriculum when reporting > in a national daily. Prior to the year 2004, a few > colleges had ICT skills > courses for pre-service teachers based on in-house > curricula that were > independently developed by each college. The Primary > Teacher Education (PTE) > ICT curriculum developed by the Kenya Institute of > Education has been in > force since the year 2004 and ICT is taught as a > compulsory subject in all > primary teacher training colleges. It is examined > internally at the end of > the first year and all students must pass in the subject, > among other > subjects, in order to proceed to second year. There are > several > implementation hitches in this programme arising from the > fact that ICT is > being taught as a discrete subject in the curriculum and > has yet to be > mainstreamed in the other subjects in the PTE curriculum. > The debate around > ICT- pedagogy integration in education and how to > operationalise it right > from curriculum development to classroom level > implementation continues in > the education circles. > > ‘In-service training is often > provided by trainers who > are just barely literate in > computers’ > > In my knowledge, this has happened especially > in instances when > some hardware providers ‘dangle’ teacher training as > an additional offer to > the institution. TTCs used to hire ICT technicians to > teach the course, but > in the last 2 years, the Teacher Service Commission has > posted trained > lecturers of ICT to a number of TTCs. There have also > been some highly > professional training offered to college lecturers by > Microsoft (in > conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Technology - > IAT) and the Kenya > Technical Teachers College. Computers for Schools Kenya > and the Nepad > e-schools teacher training programmes have also reached > teachers in selected > secondary schools. Lack of co-ordination (as with the > rest of the ICT > initiatives in Kenya ), lack of clear training targets > and time-lines have > compromised continuity and impact of some of these > training programmes. > > ‘The > entire ICT education is in tatters’ > An interesting analogy there. But I see a > sector that is struggling > with what some scholars in educational reform have called > an ‘implementation > dip’ – that for a number of reasons things normally > tend to get worse before > they can get better. There are lots of difficulties in > implementing large > scale ICT initiatives in the education sector world over. > In our country, > there have been positive efforts by the Ministry of > Education, the KIE and a > number of stakeholders in education, and these do count. > On the other hand, > there has been the tendency (by education leaders) > towards elaborate policy > documents, ‘ICT networks’ and trust funds whose > mandates remain > indeterminate. All these need to be researched and > accurately presented. > > Accurate reporting by the media and objective > analysis of both > the positives and difficulties are important in helping > the public target > their attention and effort. Besides the inaccuracies, the > use of expressions > such as ‘in tatters’ ‘the situation is bad’, > ‘alarmed professionals’ > ‘obsolete hardware’ to describe ICT in education in > Kenya sounds to me fairly > sensational. > > Betty > > > > > > --- On Wed, 6/24/09, David Otwoma > <otwomad(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > > From: David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We > lack an accreditation > system for ICT courses > > To: ogange(a)yahoo.com > > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 9:32 AM > > > .....universities > offer many degrees but their quality and market demand > differ...... > > > > > > Although > nearly all universities offer degrees, only the > University of Nairobi, Jomo > Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and > Strathmore have > Master’s programmes and only UON and Jkuat teach at > doctoral level. > > > There > is a diminishing number of staff with PhDs in ICT > departments. According to > Prof Rodrigues, UoN has the highest number of full-time > lecturers with PhDs > in ICT that stands at eight of 18, while Jkuat has three > of six, which is the > same number for Strathmore. > > > Kenyatta > University has nine full-time but none of them have a PhD > or an equivalent > qualification, while none of the Kabarak’s eight > lecturers have a PhD. Two of > six of United States International University has > doctoral degrees. > > > Many > lecturers have no experience as ICT professionals as > engineers, software > developers or in the emerging area of computer and > network security. > > > > > > See http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316& > for full story > > > > > > -- > > David Otwoma, > > Chief Science Secretary, > > National Council for Science and Technology, > > Utalii House 9th Floor, > > Mobile tel: +254 722 141771, > > Office tel: +254 (0)20 2346915, > > P. O. Box 5687 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya > > email: otwomad(a)gmail.com & otwoma(a)ncst.go.ke > > www.ncst.go.ke > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: ogange(a)yahoo.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ogange%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com >

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ICANN 35 - Sydney Security briefing on conflicker worm
by alice＠apc.org 23 Jun '09

23 Jun '09

ICANN Meeting in Sydney had a security briefing on the Conficker Worm by D. Piscitello, please visit: http://syd.icann.org/files/meetings/sydney2009/presentation-alac-piscitello… best alice

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2009 East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF), Nairobi, Kenya, 7th-9th September 2009
by Vincent Ngundi 22 Jun '09

22 Jun '09

2009 East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Advancing the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa ³Thinking Globally; Acting Locally² The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) <http://www.kictanet.or.ke/> , the Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC) <http://www.kenic.or.ke/> in collaboration with other organisations are pleased to invite you to the second East African Internet Governance Forum (EA-IGF 2009) to be held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 7th to 9th September 2009. The 2009 EA-IGF is a follow up to the inaugural EA-IGF that was held in November 2008 in Nairobi, which aimed at catalysing the Internet governance debate in the East African sub region. With the increased access to broadband infrastructure in the East Africa region and the continued spread of sophisticated mobile services, understanding and addressing Internet policy issues has become a priority. The national and regional EA-IGF¹s will help prepare East African stakeholders to address the opportunities, strengths and challenges that arise, as well as ensuring that they have a voice in shaping Internet policy decisions at the global level. This year¹s EAIGF therefore seeks to continue to strengthen the national and regional dialogues on Internet Governance as well as; * Increase awareness of Internet Governance issues, including but not limited to local content and cyber; * continue to develop capacity and skills of various stakeholders and build regional consensus on IG issues; and, * Begin to discuss the development of a regional East African Communication policy, among others. The outcomes of the EAIGF will be submitted to the East Africa Regulatory, Postal and Telecommunications Organization (EARPTO), the African Parliamentary Knowledge Network (APKN), the East African Community, as well as, the fourth UN Internet Governance Forum taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2009. Further, the 2009 EAIGF will set the stage for the 37th ICANN meeting to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in March 2010. For planning purposes, please register for the meeting at http://www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke confirming your attendance. Kind Regards, ----------- Vincent Ngundi Administrative Manager KENIC - The Kenya Network Information Centre http://www.kenic.or.ke vincent(a)kenic.or.ke [T] +254 20 4450057/8 [C] +254 20 2398036 [M] +254 733 790073 [F] +254 20 4450087 ³dot KE for Every Name in Kenya!² -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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TechSoup Kenya - Reducing the ICT Cost in the Kenya NGO Sector
by alice＠apc.org 22 Jun '09

22 Jun '09

http://www.techsoupkenya.or.ke The Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT) and the Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) have launched TechSoup Kenya, an online technology donation portal aimed at the Kenya NGO sector, on 17 June 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya. TechSoup Kenya aims to assist NGOs by providing software and hardware for very low or discounted fees in conjunction with ICT donor partners, as well as by supporting NGOs to maximise their ICT purchases and infrastructure. It will present Kenya NGOs with an opportunity to access software and other ICT solutions at discounts of up to 95% of the retail value. In order to benefit from TechSoup Kenya, NGOs must be registered with the NGO Coordination Board as a non-profit organisation. For general information about the programme and its restrictions, click here. NGOs interested in ordering software available on TechSoup Kenya should first check their general eligibility here. If an organisation meets these requirements, then check the specific eligibility requirements of our initial donor partners, Microsoft and the International Commission on Workforce Development, here. If you qualify for at least one of these, then register for the programme here . The product catalogue can be viewed here . For more information about TechSoup Kenya, as well as to receive regular updates about new product donations, please contact us on Tel: +254 20 224 7507 or support(a)techsoupkenya.or.ke. To read about the launch of TechSoup Kenya, click here. http://www.techsoupkenya.or.ke To: support(a)techsoupkenya.or.ke Subject: TechSoup Kenya - Reducing the ICT Cost in the Kenya NGO Sector 18 June 2009 Contact TechSoup Kenya Tel: +254 20 224 7507 Fax: +254 20 273 7813 E-mail: support(a)techsoupkenya.or.ke

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Re: [kictanet] Africa: Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia Top Innovation Poll (was Re: Kenya ranked among least peaceful states)
by Gakuru Alex 21 Jun '09

21 Jun '09

Great News. Thanks Adam. I agree with the report. We've been struggling to get this information out all along. But that is all set to change upon fibre optics switch on.. Kenya and Zimbabwe among top 10 Internet users despite relying on satellite http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm. Alex On Sun, Jun 21, 2009 at 8:27 AM, Adam Peake<ajp(a)glocom.ac.jp> wrote: > "Africa: Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia Top Innovation Poll > Sharon Davis > 17 June 2009 > > Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia have emerged as the top innovators of Africa > in a report on the continent's competitiveness launched last week. > > The three countries - which scored highly on ratings of their scientific > capacity - are on a par with such innovative countries as Brazil and India, > according to The Africa Competitiveness Report 2009, produced by the World > Economic Forum, the African Development Bank and the World Bank Africa. > > In a league table that included 33 African countries, and 134 countries > overall, Tunisia ranked thirtieth for innovation factors (and first in > Africa); South Africa thirty-sixth (second) and Kenya fiftieth (third). ..." > > Rest of the article at <http://allafrica.com/stories/200906180622.html> > > Based on the "Africa Competitiveness Report 2009" > <http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/Africa%20Competitiveness%20Report…> > (research by World Economic Forum, the African Development Bank and the > World Bank.) Which I have not read, I hope the news article is an accurate > reflection of the report. > > Best, > > Adam > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alexgakuru.lists%40gma… >

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Kenya ranked among least peaceful states
by S.Murigi Muraya 21 Jun '09

21 Jun '09

*Kenya ranked among least peaceful states* http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/-/539550/611366/-/u9o… Posted Tuesday, June 16 2009 at 00:00 A new global survey has ranked Kenya among the top 40 countries that are least peaceful, a move that looks set to erode the country's standing as an investment destination. The survey by the Institute for Economics and Peace, an Australian non-profit research firm, indicated that Kenya was this year ranked 113 among 144 countries that were surveyed. The report could drive away potential investors returning to Kenya after last year's post-election chaos which shut down most businesses in key towns across the country. The same survey ranked Kenya 91 in 2007 and 119 in 2008. This comes at a time when a number of initiatives including the launch of Brand Kenya, a state corporation charged with building the country's image, have been put in place to woo investors. But the new report by the Australian economists could water down these efforts. Diamond rich Botswana has been ranked as the most peaceful country in Africa followed by Malawi which scored highly after carrying out a peaceful presidential election recently. *Most serene* According to the global survey New Zealand is the most peaceful country in the world. Other countries that are said to be peaceful in Africa include Gabon, Ghana, Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania. The report which ranks Kenya the lowest amongst the traditional three East African states uses 23 indicators to determine the existence or absence of peace, key among them being hostility to foreigners or private property, political instability, respect for human rights, military capability, potential for terrorist attacks and perceptions of criminality in society and relations with neighbouring states. But a local organization Peace and Development Network dismissed the parameters as inadequate to judge a country's levels of peace. "The parameters to use when judging a country's level of peace should include the existence of mechanisms for resolving conflicts within a state, because every country has its own internal conflicts, " said Philip Onguje, the programme officer in charge of human security at Peace and Development Network. Kenya is at a crossroads following post-election violence early last year in which more than 1,000 people were killed with several others displaced from their property.

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Ebrief on 2009 Budget from DCDM
by alice＠apc.org 20 Jun '09

20 Jun '09

Dear all Find attached a brief from DCDM associates on this years budget. best alice

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Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Excellent! Child Online Protection publications
by Gakuru Alex 19 Jun '09

19 Jun '09

I hope "Chukua Hatua" folks at CCK update 'Child Safety and Internet Use' at http://www.cck.go.ke/consumer_fact_sheets/ ? regards, ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 9:51 AM Subject: [ke-internetusers] Excellent! Child Online Protection publications To: ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Draft Guidelines 1) Draft Guidelines for Children 2) Draft Guidelines for Parents, Guardians and Educators Pdf format 3) Draft Guidelines for Industry Pdf format 4) Draft Guidelines for Policy Makers Pdf format "I welcome the ITU's Child Online Protection Initiative and I urge all States to support it." Ban Ki-moon UN Secretary-General http://www.itu.int/osg/csd/cybersecurity/gca/cop/guidelines/index.html _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers

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