Oracle in partnership with the Ministry of Education have introduced ICT training to Kenyan primary school teachers.
The teachers, from primary and secondary schools and staff of the Ministry of Education were introduced to a 5 day Java Fundamentals course for Kenya Master ICT teachers.
“This training could not have come at a better time with the roll out of ICT integration in K12 schools in Kenya. The course is relevant and timely for our teachers in the integration of technology,” said John Temba, Directorate of Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya.
They were also introduced to the Oracle Academy Java Fundamentals curriculum which includes instruction in Java programming using the Alice and Greenfoot Integrated Development Environments.
In the first phase of the roll out of the Oracle Academy curriculum the participating teachers will take the Getting Started with Alice lessons into the classroom for their students, before introducing Greenfoot as a learning concept.
“There is a need for ICT skills and development in Kenya in order to equip the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders. It’s exciting to see the commitment of the Ministry of Education to support and drive ICT skills into schools through providing valuable, hands on training to the teachers. By introducing students at an early age to the world of technology, it opens up endless possibilities for technological innovation and economic growth. Alice is a freely available teaching tool designed to be a student’s first exposure to object-oriented programming. We are pleased to support this innovative programme that will allow our children from an early age to interact with technology, be innovative, and to create animated movies and video games.” Gilbert Saggia, Country Director, Oracle Kenya.
This is a good step taken in training teachers, but now that the laptop tender has been cancelled until further notice, will this learning be all for granted and we know that technology keeps evolving what it in today is out tomorrow. We truly hope that our children’s digital dream will not be killed.