Over 450 learners have benefited with basic ICT skills from training sessions organised by the Meru county library fraternity.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony where 26 learners were awarded with certificates after completing a six weeks training course, Meru County librarian Richard Wanjohi said that the skills acquired will help the learners when they join higher learning institutions where they will have no difficulties in using computers.
“We discovered that when these learners leave high school, most of them have little or no knowledge on basic computer skills required in their next level of education. So as Meru library we took the initiative to start a program to train them and it has been ongoing for the last five years,” said Wanjohi.
The county librarian also noted that through the journey, they have received partners who have been helping in guiding the learners on career choice and mental health.
“Our idea as the library because we are an information institution is to, apart from giving them ICT skills, we give them resource people. We want them to be all rounded. We have also told them that when they join higher learning institutions, they will meet culture shock and that’s what we want to prepare them for so that they can be able to handle it” he noted.
On her side, Christine Kendi, a lecturer from KEMU university, one of the partnering institutions, said that their key mission is to guide the learners on career progression.
“Most of the form four leavers have not made up their mind on what they want to pursue and that’s what we want to guide them on. I also applaud the Meru library for this noble initiative because we find some learners join the universities with a gap on ICT skills that needs to be closed and we will receive someone who is already prepared to transit easily” Christine said.
She observed that the skills received will help them maneuver in learning, and also create job opportunities even in the learning institution and also in the community.
Alex Munene and Risper Gakii, some of the beneficiaries from the just concluded training program, appreciated the move noting that they have achieved a lot.
“Am happy to be part of this program. We know that the future is online. That’s why we have come to learn skills that will help us even as we join the university. ICT proficiency is very important as most of the learning process in online” he said.
“I believe with these certificates; we are going to get more opportunities during and after our future studies because we have been prepared well. I would encourage other learners to join the course because it’s a legit matter as we are awarded with certificates at the end of the studies” summed Gakii.
