Abdullah Hassan Maalim, Education and Governor's Sector
Lead at the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), speaking to the press. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Education stakeholders in Northeastern Kenya have called for the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) across all subject areas, saying digital skills should no longer be treated as an additional component of the school curriculum.
The stakeholders said ICT should be used as a teaching and learning tool in subjects such as science, mathematics, and other disciplines to help learners develop critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and problem-solving skills.
The call came at the conclusion of a week-long digital literacy bootcamp held at Wajir Girls Secondary School, where about 800 learners and young people were trained in computer skills, artificial intelligence (AI), online safety, coding, and technology-based entrepreneurship.
Abdullah Hassan Maalim, Education and Governor's Sector Lead at the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), said the programme had demonstrated strong interest among learners and youth, but noted that inadequate ICT devices, limited infrastructure and teacher shortages continued to hinder wider adoption of technology in schools.
He said some teachers and parents still viewed ICT as an add-on because of the pressure to concentrate on examinable subjects.
“We are talking about ICT not being an add-on but should be mainstreamed in each of the subject areas,” Maalim said.
He gave the example of science lessons, saying teachers could use animations, videos and other digital resources to explain concepts and make learning more interactive.
“Instead of simply teaching the functioning of the heart, for instance, students can use animations and videos to simulate how it works. This gives them a better appreciation and creates more interest in learning,” he said.
Maalim said the approach was also consistent with the competency-based curriculum, which places emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking and teamwork.
“The core competencies talk about collaboration, critical thinking, team building and all that comes through the utilisation of ICT,” he said.
The bootcamp brought together learners from 20 primary and junior secondary schools in Wajir East, as well as out-of-school youth.
During the first three days, learners were introduced to foundational computer skills, online safety, coding and Scratch programming, with the final session focusing on out-of-school youth and covering artificial intelligence and digital marketing.
Maalim said the excitement generated by the training demonstrated that young people in the region were eager to acquire digital skills but needed greater access to devices, infrastructure and trained personnel.
“We have realised a lot of excitement coming from the participants who have attended this forum, both the learners and the out-of-school youth,” he said.
He added that FCDC was working with the Ministry of Education, Teacher Service Commission, ICT Authority, UNICEF, Kenya Connect, the Raspberry Pi Foundation and other partners to expand digital learning across the 10 FCDC counties.
Maalim said the ultimate goal was to ensure children in North Eastern Kenya were not disadvantaged by the digital divide.
“Our children are no longer in the abyss of ignorance related to digital learning. They already have the skills; they only need to be properly aligned,” he said.
He added that the programme was in line with the Sustainable Development Goals' commitment to leaving no one behind, noting that the growing interest among learners, parents and schools provided a strong foundation for expanding digital education in the region.
The initiative also seeks to establish ICT model schools whose champions can mentor other teachers and support the sustainability of digital learning programmes beyond donor-funded projects.
Abdiweli Mohamed, a teacher and ICT champion from Elbeg Primary School in Wajir East, said the training had equipped learners with practical skills that could be applied in their daily lives.
“The first three days, we trained learners on basic computer skills, online safety and coding using Scratch. It was very successful and they gained a lot of knowledge,” he said.
He said the youth component was particularly important because it introduced participants to AI and digital marketing, skills that could enhance their employability and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Mohamed called for similar programmes to be conducted regularly, saying sustained training was necessary to keep young people abreast of rapidly changing technology.
He said the success of the Wajir programme had demonstrated the need for a broader shift in how ICT is viewed in schools, arguing that technology should not be confined to computer lessons but incorporated into everyday teaching across the curriculum.
Patrick Muguti, Senior Director of Programmes at Kenya Connect, said digital skills had become essential for young people, particularly those living in rural and marginalized communities.
Kenya Connect, he said, was working with FCDC to ensure learners and youth in underserved areas were not left behind as technology continued to transform education and employment.
“We want to make sure that as we support one another, we create the skills that are necessary for young people to compete anywhere in the world,” Muguti said.
He said the organization was also working with FCDC under a Raspberry Pi Foundation programme aimed at expanding access to digital skills among learners across Kenya.
Hassan Abdi, one of the beneficiaries, thanked FCDC and its partners for giving young people an opportunity to learn about emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.
Learners participate in a digital literacy session at
Wajir Girls Secondary School during a week-long bootcamp that trained 800
learners and youth on computer skills, coding, artificial intelligence, online
safety and digital entrepreneurship. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Patrick Muguti,
Senior Director of Programmes at Kenya Connect. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Abdiweli Mohamed, a teacher and ICT champion from Elbeg
Primary School in Wajir East. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Hassan Abdi, a beneficiary speaking to the press.
/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
