The Rotary Club of Nairobi - Lang’ata (RCL), plans to develop and implement a Digital Literacy for Schools Program that seeks to install ten public primary schools across the country with computer laboratories. The objective of this program is to improve access to digital literacy for the rural poor children and close the digital divide while providing them with skills to make them for competitive in the global platform.
Through this initiative we aim to:
- Work with the Kenyan government, implementing partners, donors, well-wishers, and other partners to build and maintain model computer labs.
- To provide enriched learning resources and content for use in teaching students.
- To build the capacity of teachers in the targeted schools to teach through digital tools.
- To provide sustainable, long-term maintenance of these digital spaces.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
In Kenya, the government in 2016 initiated the Digital Literacy Programme, providing locally made tablets and laptops to students in public schools to facilitate digital learning. The government also provided solar solutions for schools that were not connected to the national electricity grid and funding for digital literacy programmes in public schools.
In practice, however, not every school in Kenya has equal access to this state funding. Where this is the case, parents of students often cannot afford to fund the construction and maintenance of computer labs in schools. Even where computers are available, little progress is made as teachers often do not have the training to use digital tools. Further, there is insufficient maintenance of the computers. As a result, many students are growing up unprepared for the digital future that awaits them.
PROJECT GOALS & OBJECTIVES
The Rotary Club of Nairobi - Lang’ata (RCL), plans to develop and implement a Digital Literacy for Schools Program that seeks to install ten public primary schools across the country with computer laboratories. The objective of this program is to improve access to digital literacy for the rural poor children and close the digital divide while providing them with skills to make them for competitive in the global platform.
Through this initiative we aim to;
- Work with the Kenyan government, implementing partners, donors, well-wishers, and other partners to build and maintain model computer labs.
- To provide enriched learning resources and content for use in teaching students.
- To build the capacity of teachers in the targeted schools to teach through digital tools.
- To provide sustainable, long-term maintenance of these digital spaces.
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The program is running for 3 years targeting a total number of 10 schools. The first phase will consist of four schools and the remainder will be shared equally in the remaining years. The project will be implemented in partnership with Computers for Schools Kenya (CFSK), a Non-Governmental Organization that has been supporting digital literacy in schools across Kenya and will comprise of the following;
- Renovations of an existing classroom and conversion to a computer lab including enhancement of the physical security features
- Installation of desktop computers installed with Windows 10, office suite and antivirus.
- Local Area Network (LAN) interconnecting the computers for both learners and teacher devices. Internet connectivity
- Learning content - This will comprise of Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) approved syllabus digital books as well as other non-curricular materials.
- Learner management system installation and training of teachers in the school.
- Technical support and maintenance of the computer hardware and software.
REQUEST FOR PARTNERSHIP
The project budget for each school is estimated at Ksh. 2.674 million (25,226 USD) and the first phase, targeting four schools, will come to Ksh. 10,696,000 million (100,906 USD). We plan to fund this project through contributions through mobilisation of donations from our club members, District 9212, corporates as well as partnering with other Rotary clubs for a global grant application.
We wish to invite the Rotary Club of Brampton (RCB) to support the Rotary Club of Nairobi- Langata in implementing the Digital Literacy Project as an international partner and through a global grant, we have two propositions for this:
- Partnership for the 1st phase which will run for the first year, consisting of four schools.
- Partnership for the entire program which runs for 3 years and consists of 10 schools.
CONCLUSION
We look forward to having further discussions on this initiative between the Rotary Club of Nairobi - Langata and Rotary Club of Brampton.
You can reach us through the following contacts;
Project Lead - Isaac Wanjero +254 710 822 111 isaacwanjero@yahoo.com
Service Projects Director - Caroline Mburu +254 722 891098 loracmburu@gmail.com
Grants Director – Rosana Munyiva - +254 720 279158 munyivs@gmail.com
International Service Director- Jannet Gachoya +254 704 462826 jannet.w.gachoya@gmail.com
Club President - Kizito Makatiani - +254 722 516 807 president@rotarycluboflangata.org
Appendix
Summary of the project details.
Project Title | Digital Literacy for Schools Project |
Project Proposer | Rotary Club of Nairobi - Lang’ata (RCL) Contact persons: Project Lead - Isaac Wanjero - +254 710 822 111 Service Projects Director - Caroline Mburu - +254 722 891098 Club President - Kizito Makatiani - +254 722 516 807 |
Implementing Partner | Computers for Schools Kenya (CFSK) |
Project Beneficiaries | King'eero Primary School- Pilot Shisasari Primary School Illula Primary School Tigoni Primary School |
Project Timeline | (Oct 2021- June 2022) |
Project Budget | Ksh. 10,696,000 (100,906 USD) Phase I |