CfSU in collaboration with Rweco
is implementing a three year project in Kabarole and Kasese districts aimed at improving
literacy through innovative teaching and learning of English language. The
project is supported by IICD and Edukans under the Connect for Change (C4C)
alliance until the end of the year 2014.
On Monday, 30th
September 2013 the commissioner private secondary Education Mr. Nsumba Lyazi
Robinson attended a learning event organized by Computers for schools Uganda (CfSU)
where secondary school teachers from project schools and non project schools
participated.
Three non project schools including
Mpanga S.S, Kamengo S.S and Kitumba S.S and three project schools including Kyebambe
Girls School, St Leos College and Rutete S.S were invited with each school
represented by four participants.
The commissioner and teachers in attendance
The non project schools were
learning from the work done by project schools. Language/literature lessons
were organized and at least one teacher from each of the project schools given
a chance to teach at the event. These teachers were chosen to represent the
respective schools based on their performance in the use of ICT for teaching
and learning of English at school level.
The learning event was held at St
Leos College Kyegobe English room and was attended by 25 (10F,15M) people. Other discussions and questions were answered
at Kalya courts in Fort portal.
The event was also marking the
climax of content creation and use competition where each school was given a
chance to teach the students using ICT. Kyebambe girls school emerged winner after
Jeff Muhumuza a teacher of English at Kyebambe who displayed very interesting
digital content and using it effectively. The decision was announced by Mrs.
Manimake Susan-Inspector of schools Fort Portal Municipality.
students attentive during a lesson
In his speech, Mr Nsumba Lyazi
elaborated that the world is driven by science and technology and we cannot
afford to escape that fact because even teaching is now driven by technology. He
mentioned that CfSU is doing a great job to expose the teachers so that they
can expand on the knowledge and pass it on to Students.
Teachers were urged not to teach
the way they were taught many years ago but rather introduce new things because
every day there are new developments and children should not remain stuck on
old ways and methods when the world is changing rapidly.
Over 83% of graduates in Uganda
are unemployed simply because they are not innovative and lack creativity. Things
must change and let children read, research enhance their critical thinking. Mr
Lyazi requested teachers to open the eyes of learners so that they can see
ahead.
Members suggested that English is
the mother of all subjects, why can’t it be considered a science? The request
went further to push for a buy in of government to embrace English labs just
like science labs.
Mrs Manimake Susan the Inspector
of Schools insisted that nowadays teaching must be learner centered (“I see I remember”,
“I do I understand”) this will enable the learners to enhance the skills of
speaking, listening, reading and writing. She mentioned that questions must be
geared towards critical thinking so that you arouse the learners’ creativity.
The competition in content
creation and use between Kyebambe Girls, St Leos College and Rutete was won by
Kyebambe Girls followed by St Leos and Rutete emerged third.
This exposure will compel other
schools to adopt ICT in their schools and those who are not fully utilizing the
ICT facility will have the urge to maximize its use.
