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Joining the CFSK Programme

Computers for Schools Kenya works with educational & training institutions; and community information access & resource centres. Such institutions include primary and secondary schools, middle-level training institutes, colleges, universities, community centres and libraries.

In working with these institutions, CFSK helps them overcome the challenges that hamper their entry into the Information Age, these including: high cost of ICT equipment; inappropriate curricula that is either too expensive, over-ambitious or outdated; inadequate technical expertise for installation and maintenance of ICT infrastructure; and inadequate capacity for implementing eLearning alternatives.

To join the CFSK Programme, an institution is required to meet six criteria:

  • A formal application to join the programme on the prescribed Application Form which is obtainable by clicking here;
  • Formal approval of the project by the Board of the institution, recorded in official minutes;
  • A laboratory of the requisite standards;
  • A competent ICT Tutor;
  • Attendance at a sensitisation seminar by the Principal/Institutional Manager, ICT Tutor and the chair of the Board and PTA (in the case of schools) or their representatives;
  • User proficiency training for the Principal/Institutional Manager (where they are not already proficient computer users) and supplementary training for the ICT Tutor;
  • A formal contract between the institution and CFSK officially admitting that institution into the CFSK programme.

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The CFSK Computer Laboratory

An institution seeking to enter the CFSK Programme must establish a computer laboratory in keeping with the CFSK standards. Such a laboratory must comply with the following:

  • Be of an appropriate size for the comfort, safety and health of the learners, trainers and other users. In the case of educational institutions it must be of a size that meets the Ministry of Education standards.
  • Burglar proofed doors & windows for security.
  • Ceiling for heat and dust control, especially where the building has a tin roof.
  • Vinyl carpet for dust control
  • Curtains for security and protection from sunlight
  • Alarm System for security, necessary particularly in areas with high incidences of theft and burglary.
  • Surge Protectors and/or Voltage Stabilizers for clean power.
  • Insurance in case of theft, for which we advise the institutions to ride the computers on existing insurance policies.
  • White board – no chalk-dust
  • Appropriate furniture (work-tops and comfortable seats) installed in a horse-shoe formation.

We encourage potential partner institutions to be creative and innovative in their preparation of the labs, and in as far as it is possible to use locally available materials and expertise to keep the costs down. The Partnerships Liaison Department of CFSK conducts inspections of computer laboratories in potential partner institutions and will provide guidance on the preparation of the same.

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Benefits of the CFSK Programme

Joining the CFSK programme brings numerous benefits to the partner institutions and ultimately the nation:

  • It enables the institutions to output computer-savvy graduates for the increasingly competitive job market, who also have life competency for an information society;
  • ICT facilitates the enhanced sharing of scarce resources, including texts and other pedagogical resources, test papers, teachers, etc;
  • It provides access to international teaching and learning resources on-line, given the large number of organisations worldwide that provide such resources at no cost;
  • This programme facilitates potential access to financial/economic resources online, both for educational and other community pursuits, by providing the means to discover such opportunities and make appropriate applications;
  • The CFSK programme enables greater international exposure for our youth through e-pals and other online facilities, which is vital given that they are a generation that must live in the global village;
  • Joining the programme leads to stimulating quality-enhanced teaching and learning in all subject areas through application of ICT to pedagogy through interactive digital multimedia content;
  • Quality-assured ICT training, as this will happen in the formal school context as opposed to the prevailing free-for-all dominated by profit-driven establishments;
  • Enhanced administrative efficacy in the management of schools and other community enterprises is achieved through the vast information capture, storage retrieval, analysis, synthesis and sharing opportunities that ICT provides;
  • The CFSK programme has also created income generation opportunities for partner institutions through community outreach programmes such us cyber cafés, office bureau services and training;
  • Ultimately, the CFSK programme will facilitate greater access to education through Open and eLearning, especially for dropouts and those that have not advanced to higher levels of education.
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Download Application forms here

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