The ICTA Authority on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with education technologies firm Kodris Africa to initiate coding in public schools.
This will see the recently approved coding curriculum implemented in schools where the ICT Authority is implementing the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP).
The signing took place at the ICT Authority office at Telposta Towers whose content was approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.
Through the DLP Technical implementing Committee, the ICT Authority and the Ministry of Education will select the first batch of public schools in which the coding content will be deployed as part of the piloting process.
This move is expected to play a key role in the content deployment of the Digital Literacy Programme through which the government has distributed more than 1.2 million laptops for learners across the country.
“We have already distributed more than 1.2 million laptops for learners in public schools in Kenya as well as connected electricity to more than 22,000 schools," said ICTA Acting CEO Dr Kipronoh Ronoh.
"Now that KICD has approved content that can be used with this infrastructure, we will select schools where we will pilot this curriculum support content in the country. The Government’s ICT programme will change the lives of learners."
He added: “We are leading in Africa. We have two factories in Kenya producing digital devices. With the approved digital content provided by Kodris Africa content, there is no doubt that Kenya is ready to go to the next level".
Through the DLP, ICT Authority has equipped schools with laptops and tablets that are connected to the internet, making learning easier for students.
According to Ronoh, adding coding to the school curriculum will enhance students’ technological skills and put them on the scope in the ever-growing world of technology.
Kodris Africa CEO Mugumo Munene said that the coding content approved by KICD will go a long way in complementing the infrastructure rolled out by the ICT Authority in public schools.
“ICTA has done a lot of work through providing laptops, tablets and connectivity. We are excited to be part of Kenya’s journey of deepening digital literacy and preparing our young learners to become architects of the digital age where they can be producers rather than merely consumers or bystanders in this digital age unfolding in our generation,” said Mr Munene.
The signing comes a month after ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru unveiled the Kenya National Digital Master plan 2022-2032 which is a blueprint for leveraging and deepening the contribution of the ICT sector to accelerate social-economic growth.
Mucheru said coding and computer programming are becoming more important job skills in a world that is more computerized and students need them to be more competitive in the modern and future job markets.
The Kodris syllabus – which is presented for learners through an interactive online studio - is also the first and only coding interactive syllabus so far to be accredited by Pearson in this category globally and was approved by KICD for use in Kenyan schools on April 19.
The ICTA Acting Director of Programmes and Standards Thomas Odhiambo congratulated Kodris on getting their product approved by KICD.
“I urge you to work extra hard so that Kenyans enjoy the fruits of Kodris,” said Mr Odhiambo.
