LAPTOP OR CLASSROOM FOR A NOMADIC KID?

               The jubilee government seeks to transform Kenya into a knowledge-based economy. To achieve this it has promised to roll out a program of one-kid-one-laptop for every kid enrolling in standard one across the Republic. The driving philosophy behind this is to nurture a generation of kenyans that is informed and "open" to the world. 

                      This looks so promising and sweet. It is a noble idea. But thoughts and actions sometimes end up conflicting one another. I don't want to look pessimistic on this matter. I believe it is workable and can be implemented. But my question is; do all kenyan kids share one educational challenge whose cure is only through the provision of laptop? 

                      To drive the point home, let’s try to interrogate the needs and aspirations of a kid in far flung Counties of Turkana, Mandera, Wajir and Marsabit for instance. 

                       It is common to find kids playing at home or taking care of their fathers' cows during school days in these places. An outsider might wonder (and even condemn) the parents of those kids for "leaving their kids at home while others are schooling". I find no crime in these condemnations.

                       But what is of importance here is to respond to these simple questions: Why are they not at school? Is it that there are few/no schools to accommodate them? Are there other reasons hindering schooling here? What is the reaction of a kid from these areas to the laptop promise? Can we craft other solutions to right this situation?

                       I believe in the creativity of man. This laptop program is nothing but a manifestation of man's creativity. But I think it is equally important to be creative when offering solutions to challenges bedeviling the citizenry.   

                       I believe most of the kids in this segment of the republic will not take any of those laptops (in case they reach them). What these kids are longing for is seeing the distance between one school and the next reduced. They want to be assured of a smooth transition to secondary school. 

                        And for this to be achieved, classrooms must be constructed. Schools must be built. Schools must be well-staffed. Kids must be assured of getting a meal at school. This therefore renders the provision of laptops irrelevant.

                        And this is my prayer, use the money intended for laptops in building new schools for these kids. This way, you will have the go ahead to distribute the laptops and be assured they will be used for the right purpose.