Hi Walu et al.

Interesting reading your perspectives on the laptop for class one pupils. I am attending the eLearning Africa 2013 conference and talking to a number of experts who have research on this topic and soliciting their thoughts on how to roll out the project, I am also following discussions on experiences from other developing countries on similar initiatives. Some of the things that I am realizing are the following:

1. Not every child needs to get a personal device. A number of devices could be provided to every school, possibly a lab type of environment or resource centre. Simple access/exposure to the technology to the students will have transformational results.

2. The choice of device(s) is also very important. A laptop or tablet choice has merits and demerits. More so a tablet maybe useful in the early stages class 1-3 but higher than this a device with a keyboard is necessary. Also electricity requirements of the devices could be a consideration. Readers are also useful but for a different purpose.

3. Minimal supervision of the students is an important catalyst. Therefore we may not have to focus so much on the teacher training aspect. If we do we will get stuck. The availability of the devices should not cause a planned disruption of the status quo (teaching methods of teachers) let it happen. The children will learn to use the technology and apply it to their learning when they see the opportunity presents itself. Similarly teachers will make use of the technology when they opportunity presents itself and when they become comfortable with the technology. There are many massive failures when deliberate efforts are made to incorporate the technology into the curriculum and/or modify the curriculum to incorporate the technology.

I think it is a great thing that we have these discussions, I agree with the president, we must implement this promise. It is a big undertaking, but the results will transform our country.

I encourage you to see this short video http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education.html that may give you food for thought.

Regards.

John Matogo

On Thu, May 30, 2013 at 6:35 PM, Walubengo J <jwalu@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Edith Adera <eadera@idrc.ca> wrote
>This list had a fairly extended discussion on this program some months ago – were these views consolidated and shared with the >Ministry? Grace? Walu? I think it should be done as a start.

Edith I summarized most of this lists arguments on a public blog for any technocrat to read @

http://www.nation.co.ke/blogs/A-sober-take-on-laptops-for-class-one-pupils/-/634/1851296/-/view/asBlogPost/-/lxh3tpz/-/index.html

But perhaps they are too busy to read blogs. Perhaps the ICT Cabinet Sec. might translate some of our divergent view into a formal government brief and share with his counterpart at the Ministry of education. Thereafter we except to hear an improved approach on this matter.

Personally I have been abit skeptical over the whole project but willing to make the best out of it in terms of ideas. But if we deliberately? start off on a wrong note one begins to wonder if the objective has already been hijacked by folks who want to "expense" some billions rather than "invest" the same.

walu.

From: Edith Adera <eadera@idrc.ca>
To: Walubengo J <jwalu@yahoo.com>
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>; KICTAnet - Media Editors Forum <mediaeditors@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2013 5:17 PM
Subject: RE: [kictanet] 6,000 primary schools picked for free laptop project

Walu,

In addition to clear “marginalization”, I wonder to what extent there has been wide consultation to engage key stakeholders including those in the ICT industry who have rolled out computers in schools (e.g. computer for schools Kenya - CFSK; cyber schools for curriculum content etc etc) and to learn from the very many schoolnet programs in Kenya and Africa. For example, IDRC funded schoolnets in Africa (including in Kenya) for over 10 years, these lessons are well documented. E.g. an external evaluation of Computer’s for schools Kenya program of providing computers to schools is quite instructive and worth reading at http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/bitstream/10625/43675/1/130237.pdf . A “how to do guide” was also developed, documenting the entire cycle from sourcing the computers to eWaste management with lessons learned incorporated in the guide book – I’m sure copies can be gladly availed by CFSK.

Others have consolidated lessons about what works and what doesn’t across Africa (e.g. ROCARE network of researchers studying computer programs in schools and the impacts in Africa). We should learn not to reinvent, but draw on evidence!

We don’t seem interested in getting the model right, but “ticking the political box” saying that “laptops have been delivered by 1^st January 2014! Looking at the entire cycle from procurement, teacher/student training, curriculum content provision, ongoing technical maintenance to eWaste disposal et etc is very critical!

This list had a fairly extended discussion on this program some months ago – were these views consolidated and shared with the Ministry? Grace? Walu? I think it should be done as a start.

The Cabinet secretary should also be advised to hold a stakeholder’s forum to discuss experience and lessons so we have sustainable interventions!

Edith

From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.ca@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Walubengo J
Sent: May 30, 2013 11:46 AM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: [kictanet] 6,000 primary schools picked for free laptop project

Listers,

This project seems to have just kicked off on the wrong tangent...was wondering how they would select WHICH primary schools would get the laptops and was shocked to read:

>>

He (Kaimenyi, Cabinet Sec. for Education) said the availability of electricity and nearness to the main grid was the basis used in deciding the schools selection criteria.

In every three schools with electricity connection, the ministry has selected one school close to the mains grid and another one that is far away from the grid....

>> adopted from http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000084770&story_title=6-000-primary-schools-picked-for-free-laptop-project&pageNo=2

Never mind that I thought these laptops would "solar-powered". But now it looks like if you are lucky to live near an electricity pole, your luck doubles as you get a bonus benefit of a laptop. If you happen to leave very far from one (think Pokot, Turkana, Tana River, Wajir, etc) your tough luck just got tougher. I cant think of a better way of "extending" rather than "bridging" the digital divide..

walu.

nb: Mutoro:-sounds like you guys are going to have a very busy year in courts :-)

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