[kictanet] 1 million Laptops for who?

[robert yawe]

Hi Dr. Ndemo,

I felt it would not be fair to close the year with one final outburst on your ministries policies.

It was good to see that the governement will be giving laptops to youth in the rural area. http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/-/1006/499894/-/jh30hdz/-/index.html 

Last time I checked 80% of the students in the University are from the "rural areas" would it not make more sense to first equip them with the necessary tools.  I recently talked to IT degree students at Nairobi university and was shocked to  find that less than 5% have computers dedicated to them and this are not provided by the institution but have been bought privately.

It is good to talk of empowering the rural folk but is this the best way, should we not begin at the top and work our way down.  This computers would also provide greater mileage if we example they where to be giving to to students in teacher training colleges so that they can take technology to the schools, country wide that they will be posted to after they graduate?

Also do not forget the medical students who would be able to provide better medical services if they knew how to use and had access to the internet's resources.

Another major issue that is lacking from the story is how the laptops are to be procured, is there any likelihood that they will be assembled locally as if they are we shall be killing to birds with 1 stone.



 Robert Yawe
KAY System Technologies Ltd
Phoenix House, 6th Floor
P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
Kenya


Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696



      
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