Computers for Schools

CfSU, In an effort to help schools access affordable computers imported three hundred Core 2 Duo computers from a  Beligian  NGO Close the Gap. This is part of the ongoing partnership between Close the Gap and Computers for Schools Uganda (CfSU).   The computers will be distributed to over 25 secondary schools.
This also comes in timely to help schools that  need computers for ICT practical exams yet they cant afford new computers on the market.

The Government of Uganda has effected the policy on adopting ICT as a subsidiary subject at Advanced level of Education. this has pushed schools to acquire  computers to match the student numbers.
With the number of secondary schools in Uganda expected to be over five thousand, there is a big gap to close  on computers in schools so that all students have equal access to ICT.

                                                           Offloaded container

Compiled by
Joel Baguma Kamba

ICT FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WORKSHOP HELD IN FORT PORTAL

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, 30^th 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.

           Mr. Nsuba Lyazi-Commisioner Private secondary Education addressing participants

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. 

                                                 An English language lesson in progress

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

   Mr.Jeff Muhumuza a teacher of english from Kyebambe teaching Descriptive composition

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.

                                         Mrs. Susan Manimake-Inspector of Schools Kabarole
 

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.

IMPROVEMENT OF LITERACY IN RWENZORI REGION THROUGH DIGITAL STORIES

Computers for Schools Uganda (CfSU) a local NGO with support from AusAid is implementing a project on the use of digital stories for teaching and learning of english language in primary schools. In a one year pilot, students have become authors of the stories used for teaching and learning.

 A teacher of Mugusu P.S at the back of the class monitors the progress of the digital storytelling session

 

The project is changing the face of traditional storytelling to new innovations of audio, video, photo and other enhancements to make learning exciting.

              Pupils of Kasisi Primary school Climb on desks to have a glance at the digital story

During our routine visists to Kasisi  and Mugusu Primary schools pupils appreciated  ICT for storytelling for it made them smile all the time because they could follow the story on the screen. Some students were quoted as saying “reading a story from a book is sometimes difficult but on computer its interesting. Playing on the road is bad” she said after watching a digital story on road safety.

                              Teacher gets hooked to the story too

A lot of content is expected to be generated from schools and efforts to have it in one place are under way  so that a bigger populace can access it.

Only one computer was provided for each school. Given the big class numbers there is a challenge of access hence the need for a projector.

              Pupils of Mugusu Primary school listen as they watch a story from a distance

As we make learning interactive we also have to consider developing the skills of pupils, creativity, research skills and critical thinking. This calls for having more computers in the room for pupils to practice and type their work.

In an effort to reach more schools, solar powered computers should be an option due to the fact that many schools are not connected to the main grid.

Compiled by Joel , CfSU

CAREERS DAY CELEBRATIONS AT SCHOOL

On 26^th September 2013 one of the project schools, Kyebambe Girls School celebrated careers day in style.

The day focused on senior five and senior ones together with their respective guardians/parents. From the attendance side, the turn up was very good and the room was full to capacity.

The message was very clear and directed towards career. What do the students(Girls) want to become and what is the role of their parents.

                              The headteacher kyebambe Girls school giving opening remarks 

It was very clear that parents play a big role in the shaping of children and becoming what they want to become. The headteacher urged parents to help and support their children to learn certain things from home so that the school can contribute to the parent’s effort.

The deputy headteacher in charge of academics. Mr Balinda emphasized that there is a lot of moral decadence and the parents need to intervene otherwise the children will end nowhere because it will deter the academic pursuits.

   

                                            Deputy in charge of academics Mr. Balinda presenting

CfSU  informed parents and students what is being done in the school regarding ICT and the possible careers in relation to ICT, how ICT crosscuts other subjects and the need for creativity. 

Further more, CfSU mentioned the fact that teachers need to use ICT in this era to make learning exciting while giving an example of the English language lessons where they occasionally use ICT to teach.

 in his presentation, Joel stated the fact that internet is very important for learners in this era but also emphasised that it can be bad if used for the wrong purpose. 

Joel from CfSU presenting(above and below)

Parents responded positively to CfSU’s presentation and complemented that ICT is the way to go for their children. The school responded by mentioning that next term they will focus on skilling children and ICT is one of the components that need to be emphasized.

On giving a vote of thanks, Mr. Nyamigisa talking on behalf of the teachers mentined the fact that some girls have smartphones and they stay on facebook    until 3:00am which is very dangerous for the students.

                                       Mr Nyamugisa giving a vote of thanks

 thanked CfSU for having been the champions in bringing computers and training teachers at Kyebambe Girls School.

he informed parents that if a parent can afford to buy a child a laptop they can do so bearing in mind that the school will regulate its use by the student.

It was such  an interesting event that one couldn’t afford to miss.

                                                   Prefect body giving a vote of thanks

                                 

CfSU MEETS DISTRICT LEADERS FOR AN UPDATE ON THE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN THE RWENZORI SUB-REGION

CfSU is implementing projects aimed at improving literacy in primary schools, secondary schools and primary teacher colleges in the Rwenzori Region.

 In primary schools, the project targets 30 schools in Kabarole and Kasese districts. The project is implemented in collaboration with Rweco an organization based in Kasese district. The project focuses on improving the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing through debate competitions, writing competitions, drawing competitions and music dance and drama competitions. Teachers are also trained in innovative teaching and learning of English language and over 300 primary school teachers from the Rwenzori Sub-region have been trained.

This is a three year project supported by Edukans under the ICCO alliance.

Primary schools innovative teaching and learning project Champion Mr. Blaise presenting its successes and challenges

With support from AusAid, CfSU has integrated ICT in primary schools by encouraging the use of digital stories for teaching and learning of English in three pilot schools. Three computers and three subhoofers have been donated to the three schools respectively to encourage the use of digital stories in the school. Over 30 primary school teachers have been trained in the use of digital stories for teaching and learning. CCTs have also been oriented so that they can support implementation of activities at the schools. CfSU is working on possibilities to extend the project to other schools as it has proven very effective and interesting to the pupils. This is a one year project ending 2013.

Lydia presenting achievements in primary schools regarding teaching and learning and the power of digital stories

With support from IICD/Edukans under the Connect 4 Change(C4C) alliance, CfSU is implementing a three year project(2012-2014) on innovative teaching and learning of English language with ICTs in six secondary schools and two primary teacher colleges in the Rwenzori region. The project is implemented in collaboration with Rweco.

Equipment including a laptops, computers, projectors, suhoofers and generators have been donated to support the use of ICT for teaching and learning of English language. Over 30 secondary school teachers and 25 tutors have been trained.

Schools have embraced the establishment of English rooms to accommodate the equipment and used to conduct ICT enhanced English lessons.

ICT4English Champion Mrs. Kabiito presenting success of the project in secondary schools

In his remarks the deputy Chief Administrative officer Kabarole Mr. Perez thanked the supporters for the endless effort to improve education in the region. “It is now the responsibility of the district Education office and heads of schools to ensure that by the end of the project the knowledge, skills and materials provided are put to use” said the deputy CAO-Kabarole District.

                                              The Deputy Chief Administrative officer Kabarole, Mr. Perez  discussing

CfSU donated a printer to the district to support the work of the district education officer.

The District Inspector of schools Mrs Harriet Anguena thanked CfSU and the development agencies for standing in to support education in the Sub-region.

                                                         District officials receiving the printer donated by CfSU