The Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) has received a major boost through a partnership that will see its members get laptops in a bid to bridge the digital gap.
This has been made possible through a strategic partnership with the House of Procurement (HOP) and Equity Bank as the financier.
The partnership was announced during the 5th Annual Delegates Conference organized by KEWOTA at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu on the 4th and 5th of August 2022.
The initiative, led by KEWOTA Chief Executive Officer Benta Opande and HOP CEO Benard Odote, seeks to address the challenges faced by female teachers in adopting digital technology, particularly those who juggle their roles as educators and mothers.
“Recognizing the transformative potential of technology in education, KEWOTA and HOP have come together to equip female teachers with the tools they need to navigate the digital landscape effectively,” Opande said
Opande who expressed optimism for the collaboration emphasized that the provision of the laptops is a significant value-addition to the teachers’ professional lives.
The laptops are fully loaded with over 150 books approved by KICD.
She highlighted the importance of empowering female educators with the necessary resources to excel in an increasingly digital educational environment and in support of President Ruto’s agenda.
To ensure the sustainability of the Initiative, Opande also revealed that KEWOTA has been working closely with financial institutions such as Equity Bank to facilitate funding options for its members.
The representative of the Government of Estonia Kadri Humal Ayal who also attended the event, expressed her Country’s willingness to continue to provide digital support to Kenyan teachers.
“We went paperless a few years ago and we wish to support others in the digital space is the new minefield.”She said
Benard Odote, CEO of House of Procurement (HOP), a company, underscored the strategic rationale behind choosing KEWOTA as a partner.
“We identified KEWOTA due to their extensive women network and their commitment to advancing the status of women teachers in Kenya.
Many Female teachers face unique challenges in adopting digital tools, especially considering their responsibilities as mothers.
Our partnership aims at sourcing the best quality laptops at an affordable rate, while also ensuring that no one takes undue advantage.” She said.
The collaboration between KEWOTA and HOP was celebrated as a pivotal step toward empowering women in education and promoting digital literacy among teachers.
“This partnership not only symbolizes the commitment of both organizations to their respective missions but also demonstrates their dedication to leveraging collective strengths for the betterment of society,’’ added Opande.
Opande said teachers must adopt technology since their employer, the teachers service commission is tech-savvy.
She said teachers can now earn a lot of money through various digital platforms.
Earlier Opande said female genital mutilation was still a major challenge to the girl child in some parts of the country.
She singled out areas such as Kuria and Laikopia which the official said they intend to visit.
Opande emphasized that KEWOTA is not a union but an association of teachers.
By Fredrick Odiero
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