Some 11,065 primary schools will not immediately benefit from the laptop project due to lack of electricity.
Some 11,065 primary
schools will not immediately benefit from the laptop project due to lack
of electricity. The Rural Electrification Authority (REA), that has
been tasked with ensuring power connectivity all over the country, has
reported that it has only managed 48 per cent connections for schools.
Only 10,157 schools countrywide are connected to
the national grid with the project set to be rolled out by the
government next month.
According to a REA report, about 3,500 schools
would be connected by the end of this financial year through grid
extension while 400 would benefit from solar PV connections in areas
outside the grids.
The report further stated that there was no
commitment to connect the remaining 5,757 schools any time soon. It
comes amid controversy over the procurement of 1.2 million laptops for
Standard One learners at a cost of KSh24 billion.
The government will pay KSh14.7 billion for the laptops this financial year and the balance next year.
“The budget for the devices was estimated at about
KSh12.7 billion, while the actual cumulative cost of the devices from
the lowest bidders is KSh24.6 billion. This leaves a budget deficit of
about KSh10.1 billion,” said Education Principal Secretary Belio
Kipsang.
Dr Kipsang defended the procurement of the
laptops, insisting the process was above board. “We do not want to
engage in rumours. But we will wait for the appeal process to be
concluded,” he said. On Monday, the Nation obtained due diligence report
detailing the findings of the committee that toured the factories and
offices of the lowest bidder in China and in India. The report, approved
by the ministerial tender committee, is now subject of the appeal filed
by Haier and Hewlett-Parkard Europe BV, who have challenged the award
of the multibillion shillings tender to the Indian company.
Kyocera Document Solutions beat Haier to win the
tender to supply 20,637 printers at a cost of KSh172.1 million, while
Viviright Company Limited was automatically selected to supply 20,637
projectors at a cost of KSh751.2 million.
0 comments:
Post a Comment