Hundreds of learners in Matungu Constituency are set to benefit from improved digital learning following the donation of 200 computers through a partnership between TAISA and the Alliance for Coding Africa, organisations headquartered in Taiwan.
The initiative is part of a broader programme aimed at expanding access to digital education, improving ICT literacy and supporting the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in rural schools.
The latest visit by Mr. Vincent Wang, a representative of TAISA and the Alliance for Coding Africa, was a follow-up mission to assess the progress of the partnership and evaluate how the donated computers are transforming learning in beneficiary schools. Accompanied by Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo, Wang toured Kholera Senior School, where he interacted with teachers and learners and witnessed how the computers are being integrated into classroom instruction.
Speaking during the visit, Wang emphasized that providing computers is only one component of quality digital education.
"A computer itself doesn't guarantee education. Education requires electricity, trained teachers, curriculum and policy. Our role is to provide the computers, while our local partners ensure learners receive quality digital skills education," he said.
Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo with TAISA representative Vincent Wang during a tour of beneficiary schools in the constituency.
Wang noted that the partnership extends beyond Kenya, with similar digital education programmes being implemented in Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Lesotho and Eswatini.
"Today we are in Matungu, but we are also supporting schools in Central Kenya and Kisumu. We look forward to expanding this partnership to more parts of Kenya and across Africa so that every learner, regardless of location, has access to digital education," he added.
Alongside the donation of computers, the programme is investing in teacher capacity building to ensure effective integration of technology into learning.
According to Matungu ICT Manager Millicent Kulubi, about 30 teachers have already completed training in Scratch programming, with more expected to undergo similar training through a partnership with Signum Africa.
"The first phase of Scratch programming trained around 30 teachers, and we are preparing another group. Together with Signum Africa, we will train more teachers who will in turn equip learners with digital skills across Matungu," Kulubi said.
She explained that the programme has incorporated safeguards to ensure safe use of the computers, noting that learners will primarily use offline Microsoft Office applications and Scratch programming under the supervision of Junior Secondary School teachers.
Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo with a student at Kholera Secondary School's ICT laboratory.
Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo described the initiative as a milestone in narrowing the digital gap between rural and urban schools.
"Out of the 71 schools in Matungu, only about two or three previously had computers. Through this donation of 200 computers, we have increased access to between 20 and 25 schools. Our target is to ensure every secondary school in Matungu has a functional computer laboratory," Nabulindo said.
The MP acknowledged that inadequate computer laboratories continue to limit the rollout of the programme, with some schools unable to receive the donated computers because they lack secure ICT rooms.
"Some schools have more than 1,000 learners sharing only a handful of computers. The deficit remains significant, but this initiative has opened the door for our learners to compete with students from urban areas who have long had access to digital technology," he said.
Nabulindo added that nearly 90 per cent of educational institutions in the constituency have already been connected to electricity, while the remaining schools are expected to benefit through the government's Last Mile Connectivity Programme.
He said continued investment in electricity, ICT infrastructure and teacher recruitment will be critical to ensuring every learner acquires the digital skills required under CBC and for future employment.
The visiting delegation concluded its tour by reaffirming its commitment to expanding the partnership, with stakeholders expressing optimism that continued collaboration will eventually see all schools in Matungu equipped with computer laboratories and digital learning resources.
