NYERI, Kenya — A total of 178 junior schools in Nyeri County have received smart boards and related equipment under a government-backed digital literacy programme aimed at expanding access to technology in basic education.
The rollout was launched by Caroline Karugu, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development.
Karugu said the initiative is intended to equip learners with digital skills while giving them opportunities to use technology for learning, creating and sharing knowledge.
“Digital literacy is about empowering our children to learn, create, collaborate and share knowledge,” Karugu said.
178 Schools Get Smart Boards
The smart boards are expected to give learners and teachers access to interactive digital learning tools, complementing conventional classroom teaching.
The equipment will allow teachers to incorporate digital content into lessons while giving learners greater exposure to technology as part of their education.
The rollout targets junior schools across Nyeri County, with smart boards and accompanying equipment being installed to strengthen digital learning at the basic education level.
Karugu Links Programme to Digital Skills
Karugu said the programme is part of efforts to prepare young Kenyans for an economy increasingly driven by technology.
She linked the initiative to President William Ruto’s vision of developing a digitally skilled generation capable of contributing to the country’s economic transformation.
“This is the essence of President Ruto’s vision: building a digitally empowered generation capable of taking part in transforming Kenya into a first-world economy,” she said.
Digital Learning Expands in Schools
The programme forms part of broader efforts to increase the use of technology in Kenyan schools and equip learners with skills relevant to the digital economy.
Smart boards can support multimedia lessons, interactive presentations and access to digital learning materials, giving teachers additional tools alongside traditional classroom methods.
The Nyeri rollout is expected to expand learners’ access to such resources while strengthening teachers’ ability to integrate technology into instruction.
Preparing Learners for Digital Economy
Karugu said digital literacy should go beyond simply providing learners with devices and instead enable them to learn, create and collaborate using technology.
The government has increasingly positioned digital skills as an important component of preparing young people for future education, employment and innovation opportunities.
The installation of smart boards in the 178 junior schools is expected to support that broader goal by bringing interactive digital learning tools closer to learners at the basic education level.
