70,000 Female Teachers to Get Laptops With Digital CBC Texbook Content
A partnership between the Kenya Women Teachers Association (Kewota) and the Estonian government will provide affordable laptops to approximately 70,000 female teachers.
The goal of providing laptops to association members is to equip teachers with the digital skills necessary to teach and engage in other online activities.
According to Benta Opande, chief executive officer of Kewota, the recipients will have exclusive access to digital textbooks.
Opande stated that Kewota, in collaboration with the Estonian ambassador Kadri Humal Ayal, has secured the copyright for 101 digital textbooks that will be used in pilot programs.
“Digitisation of books is at the centre of this programme because teachers will be able to access all the books recommended by Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in one platform for all the classes. The challenge of shortage of Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) books will be addressed,” said the Kewota boss.
For interactive learning, the Opiq digital platform will contain all books from Grade 1 to Form 4 with graphics, images, audio, and video illustrations. The purpose of the audio provision is to enable teachers with visual impairments to teach.
“A teacher will not have to carry textbooks and if the government will bring back the laptop project for learners, there will be no need for chalks and hardcopy books. It will be laptop to laptop and that is the way to go,” noted Opande.
The program, which will be launched on February 25, will enable interested teachers to apply for a laptop online via a USSD code by providing their information, including their Teachers Service Commission (TSC) information. Applicants must be Kewota members and registered with the commission.
Opande stated that they had financed the purchase of 20,000 laptops. “Once a teacher submits the application, we provide TSC with their information so that a monthly deduction can be made from their paycheck. "Those who are not TSC employees will be able to pay with mobile money,” she explained.
Opande added that association members who apply for the laptop will pay between Sh1,900 and Sh2,800 in TSC check-offs over the course of three years. The price of laptops varies based on the available features and the type of laptop.
Opande stated, “We have different categories for primary and secondary school teachers and the features differ as education advances,” said Opande.
The laptops will have solar power capabilities to accommodate teachers in remote areas without power connectivity.
With the laptops, teachers will have access to the TSC’s online services and will be able to sell and purchase goods via the e-commerce platform.
Through the digital platform, teachers will have access to the Teacher Professional Development Programme (TPDP), among other services. TSC introduced the program through universities to enable teachers to earn promotions through course work.
70,000 Female Teachers to Get Laptops With Digital CBC Texbook Content
