International tender notice requires suppliers to submit Sh228m security fee
No looking back on pledge to make primary school children computer literate
Tough conditions have been set for those intending to supply laptops for primary schoolchildren as an international tender was put out for the equipment.
Besides laptops, the Education ministry has also invited bids for the supply, delivery, installation and commission of printers and projectors for primary schools.
In a notice on Friday, the ministry said bidders for the supply of laptops must be provide a Sh228 million security fee.
Security for printers is Sh14 million while that for projectors is Sh20.4 million.
“The security shall be in the form of a bank guarantee and must be from a reputable bank. In the case of international firms, the bid security shall be confirmed by a corresponding local bank,” read the notice.
Suppliers are allowed to bid for one or more lots and must quote for all items in each lot,” added the notice. Bids open on September 3.
Samples are being examined as government experts continue developing the minimum specifications at the Innovation Centre at the Kenya Science Campus in Nairobi.
Giant computer firms from Asia, America and Europe have enlisted influential businessmen as their local agents to help them lobby for the Sh15 billion tender, which will also include large quantities of solar panels and other components. Each laptop will cost Sh8,500
Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof Jacob Kaimenyi, has warned commercial speculators against shady deals and promised a free and fair procurement.
Though he indicated at a parliamentary committee meeting two weeks ago that tablets were also being considered, Mr Kaimenyi told the Saturday Nation no decision had been made yet.
Those lobbying for a switch to tablets claim the government would save Sh8 billion while opponents argue that tablets have a shorter lifespan and are too complex for young learners.
“This matter is generating a lot of interest because of the huge amount of money involved but we want to assure everybody that the tendering will be clean,” Prof Kaimenyi said.
A team of officials will travel to India for a market survey before the tender is floated.
“We have been asked to focus on tablets but we have advised that this will not work. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves in a scandal very similar to the one involving the Biometric Voter Registration kits,” said a government official who asked not to be named.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development is working on a new digital curriculum and has invited publishers to submit material for evaluation and approval.
Meanwhile, Information Communication and Technology experts from across the East African region will in September converge in Nairobi to discuss e-learning in schools.
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