A teacher at Meru Comprehensive Junior School has demonstrated how interactive technology can connect learners in different counties to a single lesson, as the government steps up efforts to expand digital learning in schools.
Mutwiri Marete, a teacher and author based in North Imenti, Meru County, delivered a Kiswahili lesson to five classes simultaneously using an interactive smart board and Google Meet, connecting learners from Makueni, Kitui, Machakos, Chuka and Embu junior schools.
Marete said the ICT Authority had given him the opportunity to conduct the demonstration during the launch of the digital learning initiative, which was attended by government officials and other education stakeholders.
He also revealed that two Principal Secretaries, Roseline Njogu, in charge of Diaspora Affairs, and Gitonga Mugambi, responsible for Forestry, had previously been his Kiswahili students.
“Today, I was honoured to deliver a lesson using an Interactive Smart Board, engaging five classes simultaneously via Google Meet,” Marete said.
He said other online lessons during the launch were attended by Principal Secretaries, their representatives, Members of Parliament and stakeholders from the Ministry of Education.
“Education remains the equaliser and the key,” he said.
Speaking during the visit to a primary school in Meru, Mr Mugambi said the government was promoting digital classes to equip learners with skills needed in an increasingly technology-driven job market.
He said connecting classrooms through digital platforms would enable learners in different schools to access the same learning content while developing digital competencies.
Mr Mugambi said the government was also working to ensure schools had adequate teachers to support digital learning and give learners opportunities to acquire the skills needed for future employment.
His sentiments were echoed by Ms Njogu, who said the government was expanding access to interactive smart boards and training teachers to strengthen digital learning in schools.
Ms Njogu said 350 of the 700 junior schools in Meru had been equipped with interactive smart boards, while 60,000 teachers had received training in digital capacity-building for learners in the region.
“350 junior schools in Meru out of 700 have these capacity-building global skills boards. 60,000 teachers have been trained on digital capacity-building for learners in this region. This is a countrywide programme,” she said.
The programme is part of wider government efforts to integrate technology into basic education, improve access to learning resources and prepare pupils for a digital economy.
The initiative is expected to allow learners from different schools to participate in shared lessons while helping teachers use interactive technology to deliver content beyond the traditional classroom.
