Kenyan pupils undertaking a computer lesson. [Photo/ one.org]
Google.Org has extended a Sh200 million (USD2 million) fund to Kenyan schools in support of the use of technology.The money will be released to RTI International to help improve learning among lower primary school pupils in all public schools through the Tusome Early Grade Reading Programme.The grant is part of the Sh5 billion (USD50 million) that Google.Org has committed to help improve global education.The programme is expected to improve literacy skills among six million children in primary schools.It targets at reaching to over 100,000 Class One, Two and Three teachers, 1,300 curriculum support officers, 67 instructional coaches supporting APBET institutions and over 300 senior education officers.RTI International will in the next 12 months use the Sh20 million to procure and deploy table devices to schools.Google East Africa manager for policy Michael Murungi said the grant will help RTI International meet the goal of Tusome Early Grade Reading Activity (TEGRA).The Tusome programme was introduced by the Education Ministry in 2015 and aims at improving reading skills and fluency among lower primary children.TEGRA is a collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) and UK’s Department for International Development (UKAid) whose objective is to improve access to quality education in Kenya.“We believe every student deserves access to quality education and recognise that technology can play a vital role in creating richer learning environments,” said Murungi.“In addition to funding, we connect our grantees to technical expertise from Google volunteers and tools and products that accelerate their progress,” he added.Leah Rotich, a director-general in the Ministry of Education said the ministry has zoned the country into 1,150 educational zones with each unit manned by a Curriculum Support Officer.