ICT transforming education in West Nile schools

Pupils learn from a tab in Arua recently. The project is improving the usage of ICT in schools in West Nile. Courtsey photo

What you need to know:

  • So far, 80 teachers have attended a blended learning literacy course.
  • In collaboration with AKF Geneva, the project piloted programme management information system in four schools to improve information storage and retrieval in schools.

Eight-year-old James Harold Feta, a Primary Two pupil of Rigbo Primary School in Arua District has developed love for computer despite being in a rural school where they are hard to come by. His father is the deputy head teacher and a class teacher of Primary Two in the school. He says, “Feta liked drawing pictures on sand and showing teachers until he got the laptop. He now not only loves to draw but read.”

When the tabs were brought to the school by Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and Dubai Cares, Feta instantly developed an interest in learning how to use them. The Aga Khan Foundation in partnership with Dubai Cares in their pilot three-year ICT integration in teaching /learning process with 75 primary schools in West Nile.

The project has increased access to ICT through more than 511 tablets and laptops, 20 projectors and software with digital content aligned to the thematic curriculum in 20 schools, enhancing the capacity of 800 teachers in integrating ICT, using SMS based platform for teacher professional development and reflective practice.

Recently, there was a two-day conference to discuss and reflect on the outcomes of the project at Kyambogo University involving community/project stakeholders. The discussions centred on ICT integration in the teaching learning process in primary schools, improved teacher practice, learner engagement, peer to peer, ICT for school leadership and management, resourcing for ICT education in educational institutions.

So far, 80 teachers have attended a blended learning literacy course. In collaboration with AKF Geneva, the project piloted programme management information system in four schools to improve information storage and retrieval in schools.