The government has launched a nationwide junior school ICT training programme to equip teachers with the skills and tools needed to deliver Competency-Based Education (CBE) using digital resources. The three-day course focuses on practical classroom integration, use of learning management systems, and basic maintenance of laptops and smartboards recently deployed to junior schools.
Key Takeaways
- The training runs three days and forms part of the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP).
- Teachers receive hands-on instruction on Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams and Moodle.
- The programme uses a smart cascade model to train master trainers, ToTs and county-level mentors.
- Follow-up monitoring and a report will assess digital content use and inform further professional development.
Junior school ICT training: What it covers
This junior school ICT training teaches teachers how to design ICT-integrated lesson plans that align with CBE learning outcomes. Trainers show teachers how to create and curate digital learning resources, run collaborative activities in shared digital spaces, and use digital platforms to assign and mark tasks. The course balances pedagogy and technology so teachers can switch from lecture-style lessons to interactive, student-centered learning.
The KDEAP hardware rollout and why it matters
The training follows the distribution of laptops and smartboards to junior schools. With equipment now in classrooms, teachers can apply new skills immediately. This deployment ties into broader objectives to improve equity and learning outcomes by making digital content a regular part of teaching.
Schools that pair training with the available devices will be better placed to use digital lesson resources and to support learners with different needs.
Training objectives and tools
The programme aims to build teachers’ competence in four practical areas:
- Designing ICT-rich lesson plans that meet CBE targets.
- Using learning platforms such as Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams and the open-source Moodle LMS.
- Creating, curating and adapting digital content for diverse learners.
- Managing, maintaining and troubleshooting classroom hardware.
Teachers are encouraged to use simple digital tools first, then progress to more advanced features as confidence grows.
The smart cascade model: How training is scaled
To deliver training across all 47 counties, the programme uses a smart cascade model. National master trainers prepared Trainers of Teachers (ToTs). These ToTs—made up of Curriculum Support Officers, ICT champions and teacher educators—now mentor teachers at county and sub-county levels. This model helps maintain quality while reaching large numbers of teachers quickly.
Programme schedule at a glance
The three-day schedule builds from introduction to application and maintenance:
- Day 1 — Intro to ICT in teaching, basic ICT tools and classroom application.
- Day 2 — Deeper use of ICT tools and integration with CBE learning activities.
- Day 3 — Device management, maintenance, support and planning the way forward.
Monitoring, evaluation and next steps
After the workshops, a monitoring phase will track how teachers use digital content in lessons. A comprehensive report due within weeks will highlight successes and areas for further training. Schools that document lesson use and student engagement will contribute directly to this evaluation.
Resources for teachers and lesson planning
Teachers who want ready-to-use curriculum resources and sample ICT-integrated lessons can access free materials that support CBE implementation. For example, digital lesson plans and curriculum designs for early grades can speed lesson preparation and support blended learning:
- CBC lesson plans for classroom use — adaptable plans that integrate simple ICT activities.
- Free CBC curriculum designs — guidance for aligning digital resources to CBE outcomes.
- Grade 1–3 term exams and practice materials — useful for assessing learning after ICT-integrated lessons.
How teachers can prepare now
Teachers can make the most of the training by:
- Reviewing CBE learning outcomes and mapping one digital activity to each lesson objective.
- Exploring basic features of Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams or Moodle before the course.
- Saving and sharingively creating simple digital resources that can be reused across classes.
- Coordinating with the school’s ICT champion to set up and care for devices.
Effective ICT integration depends on ongoing support, regular use, and simple, repeatable classroom activities. With the new training and devices, junior school teachers can make lessons more interactive and better prepare learners with digital literacy and critical thinking skills for the future.
