By Obila Beatrice
Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Siaya County have benefited from digital skills training aimed at integrating technology into classrooms and strengthening the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The training, facilitated by Safaricom PLC in partnership with the County Government of Siaya, was held at Distinction Gardens.
The programme taught was Elimu Pepe, a digital innovative product designed to aid learning through digitalization and support ECDE teachers in lesson delivery.
Speaking during the training, Elton John, a Marketing Officer from Longhorn Publishers, said that Elimu Pepe has over 2,000 books from multiple publishers, covering all grades and subjects. It includes textbooks, storybooks, and reference books, which play a key role in shaping young learners.
“The training will help bridge the digital literacy gap and support teachers in lesson planning, classroom delivery, and introducing basic coding concepts,” he said.
The Director of ECDE, Mr. Peter Otieno, who also attended the training, hailed it as a timely intervention and confirmed the County’s commitment to ensuring all ECDE centres can access the programme.
He added that the programme will help the teachers become ambassadors of digital integration in classrooms.
Mr. Richard Mumachi, who is in charge of Safaricom PLC in Siaya County, said the programme is part of Safaricom PLC’s commitment to transforming education through digital skills. He explained that this is the reason they partnered with the County Government of Siaya to train the teachers under the leadership of Governor James Orengo, who is committed to providing quality education under the Nyalore Manifesto.
He also encouraged the teachers present to spread the message of digital literacy in the various schools they come from and those nearby, so that they too can adopt the Elimu Pepe programme.
This training marks a significant milestone in Siaya County’s efforts to modernize early childhood education and equip teachers with essential 21st-century skills. By embracing digital tools like Elimu Pepe, ECDE teachers are better positioned to deliver engaging, interactive lessons that foster creativity, critical thinking, and basic digital literacy among young learners.
Also present at the event were Assistant Director of ECDE Mr. Francis Amolo, Deputy Director of VTC Mrs. Dorothy Atieno, Siaya ECDE Sub-County Coordinators, County Focal Person for ECDE Benter Jacobs, among other officials.