Research: Most Kenyans want computer labs in schools
By OUMA WANZALA, @IwanzalaMost Kenyans prefer school computer laboratories to laptops for Class One pupils as promised by the Jubilee Alliance.
About 80 per cent of the people interviewed during a survey by Ipsos Ltd said they preferred computer laboratories for all students, while 14 per cent want laptops for individual Standard One pupils. Five per cent are not sure.
Jubilee and Cord supporters differ on the main reason for the failure to distribute the laptops over the past two years.
However, supporters from both camps agree that there should be a computer laboratory in every primary school.
Jubilee supporters, at 17 per cent, believe each pupil should be given a laptop, while those for Cord, at 12 per cent, want each child to be issued with the gadget.
About 30 per cent of Kenyans believe the Jubilee administration has not implemented the laptop project because of insufficient funds.
Twenty-seven per cent believe it is due to corruption in the procurement of the gadgets, 19 per cent feel it is because of dishonest or insincere intentions while two per cent say it is because of lack of proper planning.
LAPTOP PROJECT
Thirty-seven per cent of Jubilee supporters feel the project has not been effected because of insufficient funds, 28 per cent attribute the situation to corruption in procurement, 14 per cent believe it is because of dishonest or insincere intentions, while one per cent believe it is because of lack of proper planning.
Cord supporters, at 24 per cent, believe the project has not been implemented due to insufficient funds, corruption in procurement (28 per cent), dishonest or insincere intention (26 per cent) and lack of proper planning (two per cent).
Most Kenyans believe the laptop project will not be implemented before the next General Election in 2017.
Fifty-six per cent believe it will not be effected before 2017, while 25 per cent are not sure. Nineteen per cent are optimistic that it will be implemented before 2017.
Cord supporters, at 66 per cent, believe the project will not be implemented before 2017, while 25 per cent are not sure. Nine per cent are confident it will be effected before 2017.
Fifty-one per cent of Jubilee supporters feel the project will not be implemented before the next General Election, with 21 per cent not sure. Twenty-seven per cent are confident that the laptops will be given out before 2017.
In the budget estimates tabled before Parliament last week, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich once again allocated Sh17 billion for the laptops, development of digital content and setting up of computer laboratories for classes Four to Eight in all schools.