By Reuben Olita
Amagoro Primary School today benefitted from a computer lab that is set to revolutionalize digital literacy at the learning institution.
Speaking before the commissioning of the lab that is benefitting 700 pupils, Dr. Sheran Amai Oradu, who was the chief guest, said the implementation of this technology literacy computer lab was made possible by Techlit Africa in collaboration with Oradu Foundation, and the Amagoro Primary School alumnae.
My scholarship sister, Nelly Cheboi (also CNN Hero 2022), and her organization called TechLit Africa provided 28 macbook laptops for the lab as well as the curriculum for training,” she noted.
She added:” I invited the Amagoro primary school alumnae to come along with me, and with the help from donations from some alumnae and my friends in the US, we were able to keep the lab open for the last two terms,” she said.
” In bid to drive sustainability, we would like the parents to come along and pay a fee of ksh 200 per term per student toward the 50,000 per month that is needed to run the lab. This fee is paid directly to TechLit Africa, and it goes toward curriculum development , a teacher, and maintenance of the computers.
The lab commissioning started with a showcase of what the learners have learned so far, so parents have firsthand witness of this.They included python programming language, touch typing, and word formatting such as bolding every person’s names, among others.
Sheran’s father Mr. Shem Oradu Ipomai narrated the journey that gave birth to St Thomas Amagoro Girls Secondary, adding that there was a need for boarding facilities for Upper primary at Amagoro Primary, and which should be a storeyed building.
” As parents, there was a need to respect the school management in realising their goals to improve education standards”, telling the parents to own the program for the benefit of the Iteso community.
Sheran’s twin sister Emma Oradu-Oita said they joined Amagoro Primary in standard six, which she scored 556 marks in 1998 KCPE to earn a place at Kenya High, while Sheran who scored 559 marks joined Alliance Girls High School.
Emma said she would like to see more alumnae support the program and increase the number of computer labs to two, thanking Gregory for his Ksh5000 donation to boost sustainability plan for the project which stands at Ksh50,000 per month.
Emma’s mother, Grace Amoit Oradu, said she was heading the Oradu Foundation, which availed massive support to vulnerable children, urging parents to support the computer lab program.
A consultant environmental systems design and sustainable development Gregory Odeke Epus said, as an alumni of Amagoro Primary school in 1988, he will emulate former top Kenyan politician the late Tom Mboya who embrace African socialism through mutual social responsibility.
Odeke also added that he had entered into a covenant with his son to monetize his digital literacy skills soon enough so that he can be able to do coding and other software development assignments during his free time over holidays to supplement payment of school fees as a way of learning and applying the digital skills for income concept.
” Sustainability of the project is critical noting that coding program is a rare opportunity for children who will relieve their parents off fees burden if they embrace it.
Gregory’s son, Granton Epus Odeke , who is a form two student at Kabsabet Boys, said
“Coding is the future and we should all embrace it. It is surprising that other grade one pupils are learning coding while others in highschool don’t know of coding.
” As parents you should support your children to progress with coding because people earn good money from coding. I currently am learning Python and HTML which you can use to make games, websites, and other applications.
Granton added: So you should support your children even back at home as how my parents, aunt’s and uncles do, so that they get to earn some good money through coding and developing computer applications. I can volunteer during the
holidays to come and teach the children more from my understanding of programming.”
Amagoro headteacher Ronald Orodi appreciated Sheran Oradu for initiating the idea of introducing a computer lab at the school.
” As you are aware, learning is moving digital where learners engage in books in the absence of teachers. The lab will enhance learning in our school, ” he said.
The school head said the computer lab had made positive changes where learners do their own revision. This paid dividends in 2023 KCPE when Amagoro emerged the best public school in the Sub-County with 23 candidates qualifying to join university, noting that the school scored a meanscore of 294.
He added: ” With the use of computers, learners use parents’ gadgets to do revision exposing them of what is happening.”
The CSO Elizabeth Oloo and County Quality and Standards Officer Patrick Mwangi said computers donated by the National Government to schools had been stolen in most schools, telling the magament to ensure the computers are secured. They also predicted Amagoro Primary will be the centre of excellence.
ACK Amagoro Archdeacon, Ben Oriama said the gesture by the Oradus to equip Amagoro Primary with computers at their own expense was a sign of ploughing back to the community.
