West pokot: The Ministry of Education, in partnership with Finn Church Aid (FCA) and UNICEF, has officially launched the Last Mile Connectivity Project for schools. This initiative aims to enhance access to inclusive, quality, digital-enabled education for learners in remote areas of West Pokot county.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project targets 73 primary schools across the county, including the Sub-Counties of North Pokot, West Pokot, Kipkomo, and Pokot Central. Lilian Masai, the Quality Assurance and Standards Officer at the Ministry of Education in West Pokot County, representing the County Director of Education, described the event as a significant milestone in the county's ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide and bring the benefits of technology to every learner, even in the most remote areas.
'For long, schools in our county have faced challenges such as limited digital infrastructure and inadequate exposure to technology-based learning,' said Masai. 'This project comes at a critical time when digital skills are no longer optional, but essential for success in the 21st century.' Masai expressed gratitude to FCA and UNICEF for their support, highlighting their partnership with national and county governments as a model for sustainable development. She emphasized the project's role in equipping teachers with tools to make learning more engaging, interactive, and inclusive.
Ahmed Shale, Education Specialist at Finn Church Aid Kenya Programme, shared details of the project, which spans four counties including Marsabit, Tana River, Samburu, and West Pokot. 'We are focusing on three key areas: the right to quality education, the right to livelihood, and the right to peace,' said Shale. He elaborated on the project's focus on enhancing digital learning by improving infrastructure, connectivity, teacher capacity, and community support.
In West Pokot, the initiative will target 73 primary schools, with 14 in North Pokot, 33 in West Pokot, 26 in Kipkomo, and 14 in Pokot Central Sub-counties. The project emphasizes capacity building for head teachers, ICT teachers, and Boards of Management, promoting blended learning and online safety. It utilizes the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) approved materials, leveraging existing government-issued laptops and infrastructure supplied in 2022-2023. The initiative also extends to youth hubs out of school to expand reach and impact.
Mildred Kogo, Human Resource Officer at the Teacher Service Commission (TSC), speaking on behalf of the TSC County Director Dr. Esther Musani, stressed TSC's commitment to teacher empowerment through digital training. She noted the government's vision of transforming education through technology and the importance of continuous professional development and innovative teaching methods.
Philip Wapopa, County Director of Children Services, highlighted the project's role in promoting equity in education, particularly for learners in marginalized and hard-to-reach areas. He emphasized that the project ensures children in rural West Pokot are not left behind in achieving computer literacy and accessing online learning tools. Wapopa thanked FCA and UNICEF for their support in advancing digital literacy and access to education.
The Last Mile Connectivity Project represents a collaborative effort by government agencies, international partners, and local communities to ensure every child in West Pokot County has access to modern, digital education.