Uasin Gishu Teachers Call for Power Connectivity, Cheaper Gadgets as Over 100 Sit KNEC Computer Exams

More than 100 teachers from Uasin Gishu and other parts of the North Rift are sitting for the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) computer skills exams after completing the government’s upgrading program for P1 and ECDE teachers.

The exams are being conducted in various centres within Eldoret City.

Speaking at one of the examination centres, the Director of Nehema Institute of Science and Technology, Dr Joseph Chepkwony, lauded the government initiative, saying it has equipped teachers with crucial digital literacy skills, a core competency under the Competency-Based Education (CBE).

“We are happy with the success of these teachers. We want to assure the government that, as an institution, we have the required equipment and personnel to implement this program. I would like to urge more teachers to enrol,” said Dr Chepkwony.

He further noted that digital literacy is no longer an isolated elective subject, emphasising that all teachers must possess strong information, media, and technology literacy to enable learners to interact safely and creatively with digital devices.

Dr Chepkwony said areas such as the use of interactive smart boards, simulations, virtual labs, and educational videos are key in promoting active learning, as opposed to traditional lecturing.

What is hindering the use of digital tools in rural schools?

Meanwhile, teachers interviewed after the examinations appealed to the government and other stakeholders to fast-track electricity connectivity to all remote areas and enact legislation to reduce the cost of digital tools such as phones and computers.

They said this is critical to ensure that all learners, regardless of their background, fully benefit from digital learning.

“Most of the people don’t have access to electricity, while a good number of parents don’t have smartphones, which hinders access to digital tools,” one of the teachers said.

“If the government can support parents in remote areas, it can make learning easy,” added another teacher.