Over 8,000 Students in Turkana to Benefit from Coding and ICT Training.
Over 8,000 learners from Grade Four to Grade Nine across Turkana County are set to receive digital literacy training, including coding, under the Advancing Computer Skills in Schools Project. This initiative targets 12 primary and junior secondary schools in the region.
Initially launched in July 2024, the project began with 10 schools located in Lodwar. The Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) implemented the program with funding from the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
Alongside this rollout, an equal number of teachers underwent training based on the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development-approved curriculum provided by the Foundation.
By the start of the second term in May 2025, the project had grown to include two more schools—Nadapal in Loima Sub-County and Lokichar Girls in Turkana South—bringing the total to 12. An additional five teachers were also trained to support this expansion.
The two-day training session for teachers was led by Turkana County ICT Officer, Washington Malala, who provided updates on the revised curriculum. A total of 20 teachers participated in the session, aimed at enhancing their digital skills delivery.
During the training’s conclusion, Chief Officer for Education and Social Protection, Paul Ekeno Lodunga, affirmed the county government’s commitment to the project.
He emphasized that such initiatives would help local students remain competitive in an increasingly digital world. He explained that the county’s partnership with organisations like EIDU in the Digital Literacy Initiative for early childhood centres demonstrated their broader vision of embedding digital skills from an early age.
Building a Culture of Innovation
Lodunga observed that the project was fostering innovation, creativity, and long-term prosperity by integrating digital competencies into everyday learning. He encouraged trained teachers to extend their knowledge to colleagues to maximize the program’s reach and effectiveness.
Turkana County’s Chief Officer for Education Quality Assurance, Levi Amusha, highlighted the transformative role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in modern education.
He reiterated the government’s resolve to mainstream ICT throughout the curriculum and advocated for its introduction starting at pre-school level. He also called on educators to bring creativity and innovation into their teaching methods as they implement the program.
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Abdullahi Hassan Maalim, FCDC’s Education and Governance Sector Lead, underlined the importance of preparing learners for the future by equipping them with essential digital skills. He mentioned that FCDC was working to establish formal partnerships with the Ministries of Education and ICT to support the ongoing initiative, noting that institutional acceptance would pave the way for sustainable support.
The first ten schools involved in the program were Napuu, Canaan, Kanamkemer, Nakwamekwi, Nabulon Girls, Alfred Powery, Bishop Mahon, Lodwar Mixed, St. Michael Kawalase, and St. Monica Lodwar Girls.
