Half of Meru Junior Schools get smart boards in digital learning drive

Half of Meru County’s 700 junior schools have been equipped with interactive smart boards under a nationwide digital learning programme aimed at preparing learners for a technology-driven job market.

Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu said 350 schools in the county had received the equipment, while 60,000 teachers had undergone digital capacity-building training.

“350 junior schools in Meru out of 700 have these capacity-building global skills boards. 60,000 teachers have been trained on digital capacity building for learners. This is a countrywide programme,” Njogu said.

She spoke during a visit to Meru Comprehesive Junior school in Meru alongside Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi, where the two officials outlined the government's efforts to expand digital education and equip learners with skills for future employment.

Mugambi said digital learning would expose pupils to technology from an early age and enable schools to share learning content through connected classrooms.

They both hailed President William Ruto and his administration for fulling campaign promise.

“The introduction of digital classes in primary schools will help ensure learners acquire skills for this digital era,” he said.

He added that the government was working to ensure schools had enough teachers to support the programme and that learners had opportunities to develop skills relevant to future jobs.

Mutwiri Marete, a teacher at Meru Comprehensive Junior School in North Imenti took the PSs and learners through the digital session.

Using an interactive smart board and Google Meet, Marete delivered a Kiswahili lesson to five classes simultaneously, connecting learners from Makueni, Kitui, Machakos, Chuka and Embu junior schools.

Marete, who is also an author, said the ICT Authority had given him the opportunity to conduct the lesson during the launch of the initiative.

“Today, I was honoured to deliver a lesson using an Interactive Smart Board, engaging five classes simultaneously via Google Meet,” he said.

He added that the exercise demonstrated how technology could connect learners from different schools and support teaching beyond the traditional classroom.

The lesson was among online classes conducted during the launch, which attracted Principal Secretaries, their representatives, Members of Parliament and other Ministry of Education stakeholders.

Marete was overjoyed that Njogu and Mugambi had been his Kiswahili students during the session.

“Education remains the equaliser and the key,” he said.