Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary (PS) Stephen Isaboke has appealed to school leavers to embrace digital skills to enable them to work online, earn a living, and improve their lives.
The PS noted that the government has set up Jitume Hubs with free Wi-Fi in some counties and employed trainers to teach youths computer skills. He implored young people to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire the skills and benefit from them.
He noted that Members of Parliament have a provision of 3 percent from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) kitty to activate hubs in their jurisdictions for the benefit of youths.
“The government plans to set up Jitume Hubs in each of the 1,450 electoral wards across the country to ensure that youths, including educated and unemployed ones, access the hubs and learn,” Isaboke said.
The PS spoke at Borangi SDA Senior School in Nyamache Sub-County, Kisii County, during the school’s Education Day celebration on Friday. A total of 219 candidates who sat last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination out of 350 qualified to join universities.
During the celebration, the PS awarded top students—Dennis Kiptoo, Rose Kefah, Hanning Lawrence, and Philemon Chelangat—suitcases.
He appealed to the students to embrace discipline and work hard to exploit their potential, stressing that their academic journey has begun and that they have to be role models to others.
“You are going to begin your careers. I urge you to work hard and excel in your endeavours,” the Principal Secretary said.
25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots
Hosted by school Principal Dr Lameck Siko and Chairman Charles Nyangito, the event heard that the government has rolled out a programme to connect 25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots to schools, hospitals, markets, and learning institutions to increase internet connectivity.
Isaboke appealed to Kenyans to use the free digital facilities for research, business, and education, saying those who misuse them risk facing the law and being held accountable for their actions.
“Digital facilities can also be connected to Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras for security and monitoring businesses,” the PS noted.
Install CCTV cameras
He appealed to managers of learning institutions and businesses to install CCTV cameras for monitoring and enhancing security.
The PS said the government wants to roll out 100,000 kilometres of digital infrastructure across the country, adding that 40,000 kilometres have already been covered and that private investors are also involved.
Siko said the school’s enrolment has increased from 150 students in 2022 to 946 this year and lauded parents, education officers, and the community for supporting the school.
He said the school had a mean score target of 8.5 last year but attained 7.6, emphasizing that the target remains the same for this year’s candidates.
READ ALSO: Why abolishing boarding schools is wrong
Kisii County Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Executive Secretary Abel Kenyanchui implored the government to pay teachers who marked last year’s KCSE examination to ease their suffering.
The official said the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) owes the markers more than KSh 1 billion, adding that they will not mark this year’s examination if they have not been paid.
“It is unfair for the Council not to pay the markers their arrears a year after they marked the examination,” Kenyanchui told the gathering.
By Emmanuel Gwakoi
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
