Mwalimu National, Intel Corporation and other industry partners have partnered to launch Digital Program for teachers

Mwalimu National has partnered with Intel Corporation and other industry partners: Microsoft, Lenovo, TECNO, Nakumatt and Safaricom to promote the “Mwalimu Digital” initiative whereby Mwalimu National will provide secondary school teachers in Kenya with low interest and affordable loans to acquire a modern computer.

Under the program, Mwalimu National Sacco members will get discounted prices on a number of Lenovo laptops starting from KES 27,995 and the 2in1 TECNO Winpad 10 at KES 26,995. In addition, they will have access to loans from the Sacco with monthly repayments that start as low as KES 1019. The laptops will also come bundled with free Microsoft Office 365 for 1 Year, extended warranties, and digital teacher content from Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). The Lenovo laptops’ offer will be exclusively available at Nakumatt Supermarkets countrywide while the TECNO Winpad 10 offer will only be available at Safaricom shops countrywide.

To access the offers, Mwalimu National Sacco members will be required to get in touch with the Sacco offices countrywide where a member applies for a loan at Mwalimu Sacco, Mwalimu Sacco approves the loan and sends communication to the retailer depending on the device the person has selected and were they want to collect it. The member will then be able to pick their device from the retailer because the payment would have been made afterwhich they start paying the Sacco.

The interest rate is 12% p.a. over a period of 36 months.

Mwalimu National Sacco CEO, Robert Shibutse said, “The programme we are launching today will enable Mwalimu National complement the Government’s efforts on Digital Literacy Project by reducing affordability barriers for teachers in Kenya to acquire their own devices and become digital professionals.”

Speaking during the launch event, Intel Corporation’s General Manager for East Africa, Danie Steyn said, “As part of our strategy in Africa, Intel is committed to supporting programs that accelerate technology adoption by enabling more people to access affordable and relevant technologies. We have initiated this program with Mwalimu National Sacco with the objective of getting more teachers connected and empowered with digital skills. While the world is transforming to a digital village, the classrooms in Africa are yet to catch up. We believe Mwalimu digital program is going to empower teachers to prepare students for the 21st century workplace where ICT is now becoming mainstream”.

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with partners such as Safaricom, UNICEF, Intel and Kenya Institute of Education have embarked on rolling out an e-learning program through support on building the infrastructure, capacity building the stakeholders and developing digital curriculum support materials for Kenyan schools, to enable the teaching and learning activities be carried out using technology.