Computer literacy has been touted as a key tool in adopting the ever-changing technology across the world especially with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence. This has led to the Kilifi County Government introducing the computer syllabus in all its 812 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres that will see children as young as four years learn to use computers.
According to the Education department led by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Felkin Kaingu, the county has already received the first batch donation of 1,600 computer tablets that will be distributed to the ECDE centres.
Computer lessons
Speaking during the launch of a KSh20 million second generation ECDE centre, the first of its kind in the county at Tezo Comprehensive School, Kaingu said that the computer lessons will also attract and retain more learners in school.
The county has a population of 62,000 learners in its ECDE centres and efforts are being made to attract more learners.
“In the whole county we have 812 ECDE centres with a population of 62,000 learners and in 2022, we had a population of only 42,000 and so we introduced the ‘Uji Shuleni’ programme that attracted more learners and now we are introducing computer tablets which will attract even more learners,” he said.
Ultra-modern buildings
He added that the county had also improved the construction designs of ECDE centres to make them one stop learning places with the new ultra-modern buildings consisting of two classrooms, a recreational area, staffroom, books store, kitchen and modern toilets all under one roof, a move he said will increase concentration of pupils.
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“The feeding programme has really done very well. Besides, the new building designs are meant to make pupils do their learning activities under one roof uninterrupted. Our ECDE teachers will start training on the computer tablets so that the programme can be implemented on time because we want to produce tech savvy pupils,” he said.
At the Tezo Second Generation ECDE center, the teacher in charge Elina Mweni said, “Before the porridge programme we had only 50 learners and after the programme was introduced, enrolment has increased by 30 per cent and when the construction of this ultra-modern building started, we hit 150 enrolments,” she said.
Governor Gideon Mung’aro said that the tablets will be increased so that each and every learner gets a piece when in school.
“We have introduced the computer tablets so that we can nurture our children to be technology competent at an early age and we are going to expand the programme. We have started with 1,600 tablets but they will be increased as we get more supplies,” he said.
By Nehemiah Okwembah
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