Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for ICT training.
Teachers with the union will take courses at the university making JKUAT the first public university to partner with KUPPET in an agreement that will see the teachers benefit from affordable post graduate courses in the institution.
Speaking during the event, JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof Mabel Imbuga said the university decided to start the Bachelor of Education course to enable teachers move at par with other professionals at a time when education is becoming to digital.
“Most of the ICT experts in Kenya are graduates from JKUAT so you should all feel encouraged to take such courses in this institution,” she told the teachers.
The courses are strategically designed to not interfere with the teachers’ normal classes in their schools as they will be taught during the weekends, holidays, evening as well as online.
KUPPET chairman Omboko Milemba said that they will urge the teachers in the union to take more courses that are aimed at enhancing their knowledge and skills in line with Vision 2030.
“The education sector is rapidly digitising and I call upon the government to fast track the laptop project in order to help children in their academic studies,” he said.
He further urged the university to consider the teachers’ fees payment methods to ensure its remains affordable to them.
KUPPET secretary General Akello Misori said that the ICT program is important to the teachers in embracing the educational skills.
Misori said that the government should consider educating the teachers on ICT before bringing in the laptops project.