Tech

Catch Them Young: Kenya begins teaching coding, programming in public schools

Published

3 years ago

June 10, 2022

The Kenya government made bold steps toward achieving a digital-savvy country as it has partnered with Kodis Africa to introduce coding and computer programming teaching in public schools.

The policy will be implemented across the country’s primary and secondary schools under the Kenya National Digital Master plan 2022-2032.

The Ministry of Education and the ICT Authority through the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) are also part of the implementation process.

Kodris Africa, an online publishing company that focuses on preparing learners with 21st-century skills, will offer the syllabus.

The government of Kenya in April approved the coding curriculum to be learnt by secondary and primary school students after receiving approval from the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary at the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, Mr. Joe Mucheru while launching the policy stated that it was important for Kenya to follow the trend of digital so it could compete favourably in the comity of nations.

“This is a great day for the country, especially for our children who will now have the opportunity to learn coding and computer programming at an early age. The world is changing and everyone is going digital and Kenya will not be left behind as the globe goes digital,” said Mr Mucheru.

Coding is considered one of the leading skills in the world given the technological shape the world is evolving into. In the US, 58% of students see coding skills as vital as foreign language skills for future career prospects. Over 45% can currently code or are learning a coding language. Over half of students plan on learning a computer programming language at some point.

With its high global demand and Kenya’s noble step to “catch them young” with the coding skill, it is hoped that the idea will among other benefits position the East African country to thrive in the “knowledge economy” space, a turf that Africa hasn’t played on as it should.

Tech

Kenya’s ticketing startup BuuPass partners Flexpay for flexible travel payments

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with goal-based savings platform, Flexpay, to offer customers flexible payment plans ahead of holiday travels as well as simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.

Co-founder and CEO at Buupass, Sonia Kabra, who unveiled the package at a press conference, said the collaboration between the two platforms will allow travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over four to 12 weeks.

“Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments,” she said.

“This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.

“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance. This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially,” said Kabra.

Also speaking at the event, Richard Machomba, CEO and founder of Flexpay, said:

“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals.

“By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” Machomba added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

FlexPay, on the other hand, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa.

Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation