The Ministry of Education has officially launched Phase One of the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), marking a major milestone in the government’s efforts to integrate technology into teaching and learning in public schools.
The first phase of the programme will benefit 10,382 public Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) across the country, with the government aiming to equip learners with essential digital skills while enhancing classroom instruction through modern technology.
Schools to Receive Smart Boards
Speaking during the handover of a school bus to Racecourse Senior Comprehensive School in Kesses, Uasin Gishu County, on Wednesday, July 15, Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. John Lekakeny Ololtuaa said the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise education and prepare learners for a technology-driven future.
Under the programme, participating schools will receive interactive smart boards—large touch-sensitive digital screens that enable teachers to deliver lessons using videos, animations, graphics and other multimedia content.
The smart boards will also allow learners to actively participate in lessons, making classroom learning more engaging and interactive.
According to the Principal Secretary, the Digital Literacy Programme will improve lesson delivery by giving teachers access to a wide range of digital learning resources and innovative teaching tools.
He noted that technology integration is expected to enhance learner engagement, improve classroom interaction and strengthen the delivery of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
Ololtuaa revealed that 215 Junior Secondary Schools in Uasin Gishu County have been selected to benefit during the first phase of the programme, with similar rollouts planned for schools across the country.
The nationwide implementation is expected to gradually ensure that all public junior secondary schools have access to modern digital learning infrastructure.
Government to Install Solar Power in Schools
To support the successful implementation of the programme, the government also announced plans to roll out a solar power initiative in participating schools.
The solar installations will provide reliable electricity for operating the smart boards, particularly in schools located in areas with limited or unreliable power supply.
The initiative is also expected to promote the use of clean and renewable energy in learning institutions.
Supporting Digital Skills and Artificial Intelligence Learning
The Digital Literacy Programme complements the government’s broader digital education agenda, including the recently launched National Integration of ICT Learning in Junior Schools initiative.
Education officials believe that integrating digital technology into classrooms will:
- Improve digital literacy among learners.
- Enhance collaboration between teachers and students.
- Support interactive and learner-centred teaching.
- Equip learners with practical ICT and emerging technology skills, including knowledge relevant to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Prepare students for higher education and the evolving job market.
The Principal Secretary also called on parents, teachers and other education stakeholders to continue supporting the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
He acknowledged that the transition to the new education system has faced several challenges but assured Kenyans that the Ministry of Education remains committed to strengthening implementation through continuous reforms and investment in learning resources.
According to Ololtuaa, the ongoing reforms are designed to ensure learners acquire practical knowledge, digital competencies, creativity and problem-solving skills needed for success in higher education, employment and entrepreneurship.
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the Digital Literacy Programme will be implemented in phases as the government continues investing in digital infrastructure, renewable energy and technology-driven learning.
The long-term goal is to ensure that every learner in Kenya’s public education system has access to modern digital learning tools and quality technology-enabled education, helping build a workforce that is ready for the demands of the digital economy.
