Barrack,

 

Yes, I read that earlier. It is true the Government has stated that they will build capacity of teachers. However, KNUT is saying in today’s papers that they will not allow their teachers to undertake any training until Government sorts out pending issues of their balances and address the issue of shortage of teachers. To me, this just spells out a stalemate or delay until it is resolved. That is why I say, teachers must own the project- if they do not, it is money down the drain. This is the first and most important step in ensuring effective implementation of the project, let alone all those great ideas I have read so far.

 

Gilda

 

From: Barrack Otieno [mailto:otieno.barrack@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 2:15 PM
To: Gilda Odera
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 5 : Ensuring Effective Implementation of the Laptop Project - The Key Variables (Day 5:Wrap up and Way Forward (Key declarations, what next)

 

From the Capital FM wall:

The government has allocated Sh53.2 billion for the deployment of laptops, which is the Jubilee government’s flagship project.

In his maiden Budget Statement before the National Assembly on Thursday, National Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich said they have allocated a total of Sh53.2 billion for deployment of 1.35 million laptops to class one pupils, development of digital content, and building capacity of teachers and rolling out computer laboratory for Class 4 to Class 8 students in all

 

On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 1:59 PM, Gilda Odera <godera@skyweb.co.ke> wrote:

+1 Warigia. It is a great idea with premature timing. Teachers need to own it for it to succeed. What I am reading in papers today is saying otherwise. Without ownership by teachers, it will go down the drain and we cannot afford to lose such amounts. I hope the teachers are being roped in to own it- and own it well!

 

Gilda

 

From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+godera=skyweb.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Warigia Bowman
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 11:56 AM
To: godera@skyweb.co.ke


Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 5 : Ensuring Effective Implementation of the Laptop Project - The Key Variables (Day 5:Wrap up and Way Forward (Key declarations, what next)

 

Dear Muraya

 

I simply am saying, that we must prioritize electricity supply and decent classrooms. I am not opposed to laptops in classrooms per se, but I think they are a gimmick, if we do not ensure that students are getting an excellent analog education first. 

 

I like the lab idea. 

 

I like involving country governments and NEMA in waste disposal. 

 

 

 

On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 11:52 AM, S.M. Muraya <murigi.muraya@gmail.com> wrote:

Ms.Warigia,

Should we limit the devices (not necessarily laptops) only to areas with good electricity supply + decent classrooms?

Very few decent libraries exist in Kenya after books are vandalized and not replaced. Maybe why we could do with e-readers.

Every school should have a lab/workshop or volunteers to assist with repairs. Laptop or tablet maintenance, should earn IT college students credits in their programs.

Electronic waste disposal, should involve county governments and NEMA for (well specified) direction.

On Jun 14, 2013 10:07 AM, "Warigia Bowman" <warigia@gmail.com> wrote:

For the laptop program to truly be effective, we must ensure first, that all primary school supplements are disbursed by the government in a timely manner, so that children can start learning, irrespective of socio-economic status.  

 

Let me reiterate my concern that until we get the basics right, laptops wont improve matters. 

 

Second, we must ensure that students are learning in appropriate surroundings. Are buildings present, clean and safe? Is some kind of rudimentary library available? 

 

Third, we must ensure that teacher training is at adequate levels in basic topics.  

 

Fourth, without electricity, all of this laptop mania is pointless. Are steady streams of electricity available at implementation sites? 

 

Fifth, is Internet freely available at implementation sites? Who is paying for the Internet? 

 

Sixth, is there a clear curriculum? 

 

Seventh, are teachers and students being trained on the proper care, and maintenance of equipment? 

 

Finally, is there an environmentally appropriate means of disposal, refurbishment, and recycling when laptops reach the end of their life cycle. 

 

On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 9:27 AM, Victor Gathara <vgathara@vimak.co.ke> wrote:

Barack,

 

I think its fair to say that most IT projects that fail really do so as a result of project management failure so a strong project (or programme?) management function needs to be built into this project. 

 

As an example there is the question of quality assurance. How will we ensure that the project delivers a quality 'product'? Also how will success (or failure) of the project will be measured? I think its important that an objective quality assessment be done at regular points in the project life-cycle to monitor progress and introduce changes if required. 

 

If it is rolled out as a project then it really must have an end (when the project closed down and hands over to the operational regime where laptops are just as essential in classroom as textbooks)...It would be important to work out what that regime would be...

 

Victor

 

On 13 June 2013 23:46, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> wrote:

Listers,

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this weeks discussion the threads are still open, today we discuss any issues that are significant to the project and that may have been overlooked, the discussion is open.

Best Regards


--
Barrack O. Otieno

+254721325277

+254-20-2498789
Skype: barrack.otieno

 

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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.

KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.



 

--

Dr. Warigia Bowman

Assistant Professor 

Clinton School of Public Service

University of Arkansas

-------------------------------------------------
View my research on my SSRN Author page:
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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.

KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.



 

--

Dr. Warigia Bowman

Assistant Professor 

Clinton School of Public Service

University of Arkansas

-------------------------------------------------
View my research on my SSRN Author page:
http://ssrn.com/author=1479660
--------------------------------------------------


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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.

KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.




--
Barrack O. Otieno

+254721325277

+254-20-2498789
Skype: barrack.otieno

http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/