[kictanet] Day 5 : Ensuring Effective Implementation of the Laptop Project - The Key Variables (Day 5:Wrap up and Way Forward (Key declarations, what next)

Fri Jun 14 14:30:54 EAT 2013

Barrack,

Yes, I read that earlier. It is true the Government has stated that they
will build capacity of teachers. However, KNUT is saying in today's papers
that they will not allow their teachers to undertake any training until
Government sorts out pending issues of their balances and address the issue
of shortage of teachers. To me, this just spells out a stalemate or delay
until it is resolved. That is why I say, teachers must own the project- if
they do not, it is money down the drain. This is the first and most
important step in ensuring effective implementation of the project, let
alone all those great ideas I have read so far.

Gilda

From: Barrack Otieno [mailto:otieno.barrack at gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 2:15 PM
To: Gilda Odera
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 5 : Ensuring Effective Implementation of the
Laptop Project - The Key Variables (Day 5:Wrap up and Way Forward (Key
declarations, what next)

>From the Capital FM wall: 

The government has allocated Sh53.2 billion for the deployment of laptops,
which is the Jubilee government's flagship project.

In his maiden Budget Statement before the National Assembly on Thursday,
National Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich said they have allocated a total of
Sh53.2 billion for deployment of 1.35 million laptops to class one pupils,
development of digital content, and building capacity of teachers and
rolling out computer laboratory for Class 4 to Class 8 students in all

On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 1:59 PM, Gilda Odera <godera at skyweb.co.ke> wrote:

+1 Warigia. It is a great idea with premature timing. Teachers need to own
it for it to succeed. What I am reading in papers today is saying otherwise.
Without ownership by teachers, it will go down the drain and we cannot
afford to lose such amounts. I hope the teachers are being roped in to own
it- and own it well!

Gilda

From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+godera
<mailto:kictanet-bounces%2Bgodera> =skyweb.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On
Behalf Of Warigia Bowman
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 11:56 AM
To: godera at skyweb.co.ke

Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 5 : Ensuring Effective Implementation of the
Laptop Project - The Key Variables (Day 5:Wrap up and Way Forward (Key
declarations, what next)

Dear Muraya

I simply am saying, that we must prioritize electricity supply and decent
classrooms. I am not opposed to laptops in classrooms per se, but I think
they are a gimmick, if we do not ensure that students are getting an
excellent analog education first. 

I like the lab idea. 

I like involving country governments and NEMA in waste disposal. 

On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 11:52 AM, S.M. Muraya <murigi.muraya at gmail.com>
wrote:

Ms.Warigia,

Should we limit the devices (not necessarily laptops) only to areas with
good electricity supply + decent classrooms?

Very few decent libraries exist in Kenya after books are vandalized and not
replaced. Maybe why we could do with e-readers.

Every school should have a lab/workshop or volunteers to assist with
repairs. Laptop or tablet maintenance, should earn IT college students
credits in their programs.

Electronic waste disposal, should involve county governments and NEMA for
(well specified) direction.

On Jun 14, 2013 10:07 AM, "Warigia Bowman" <warigia at gmail.com> wrote:

For the laptop program to truly be effective, we must ensure first, that all
primary school supplements are disbursed by the government in a timely
manner, so that children can start learning, irrespective of socio-economic
status.  

Let me reiterate my concern that until we get the basics right, laptops wont
improve matters. 

Second, we must ensure that students are learning in appropriate
surroundings. Are buildings present, clean and safe? Is some kind of
rudimentary library available? 

Third, we must ensure that teacher training is at adequate levels in basic
topics.  

Fourth, without electricity, all of this laptop mania is pointless. Are
steady streams of electricity available at implementation sites? 

Fifth, is Internet freely available at implementation sites? Who is paying
for the Internet? 

Sixth, is there a clear curriculum? 

Seventh, are teachers and students being trained on the proper care, and
maintenance of equipment? 

Finally, is there an environmentally appropriate means of disposal,
refurbishment, and recycling when laptops reach the end of their life cycle.

On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 9:27 AM, Victor Gathara <vgathara at vimak.co.ke>
wrote:

Barack,

I think its fair to say that most IT projects that fail really do so as a
result of project management failure so a strong project (or programme?)
management function needs to be built into this project. 

As an example there is the question of quality assurance. How will we ensure
that the project delivers a quality 'product'? Also how will success (or
failure) of the project will be measured? I think its important that an
objective quality assessment be done at regular points in the project
life-cycle to monitor progress and introduce changes if required. 

If it is rolled out as a project then it really must have an end (when the
project closed down and hands over to the operational regime where laptops
are just as essential in classroom as textbooks)...It would be important to
work out what that regime would be...

Victor

On 13 June 2013 23:46, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:

Listers,

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this weeks discussion the threads
are still open, today we discuss any issues that are significant to the
project and that may have been overlooked, the discussion is open.

Best Regards

-- 
Barrack O. Otieno

+254721325277

+254-20-2498789
Skype: barrack.otieno

http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ 

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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for
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Clinton School of Public Service

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wbowman at clintonschool.uasys.edu

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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for
people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.

KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

-- 

Dr. Warigia Bowman

Assistant Professor 

Clinton School of Public Service

University of Arkansas

wbowman at clintonschool.uasys.edu

------------------------------------------------- 
View my research on my SSRN Author page: 
http://ssrn.com/author=1479660 
-------------------------------------------------- 

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people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.

KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

-- 
Barrack O. Otieno

+254721325277

+254-20-2498789
Skype: barrack.otieno

http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ 

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