Alupo: Teachers must be armed with computer skills

By Caroline Ariba

Computers have become part and parcel of everyday operations – from every modern office the homes.

However, a common feature in many schools is that other than in the school laboratories, these equipment are mainly used for secretarial jobs with the majority of headteachers hardly deploying them for research, communications and other operations.

It is for this reason that the education minister (Rtd) Maj. Jessica Alupo has directed that all teachers should embrace the use and the teaching of computers in schools.

Alupo said the ministry had partnered with Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and the Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA) to equip headteachers with computer skills.

“The education ministry, MUBS and KAWA teams, will provide e-learning modules. Training will take place during school holidays in the schools’ computer laboratories,” Alupo told headteachers at an ICT workshop at MUBS Annex Bugolobi recently.

She pledged that the ministry will recognise all head-teachers who successfully acquire the skills.

KAWA chairman Moses Wamanga, said they have embarked on a countrywide sensitization of headteachers and teachers’ associations about the programme.

At a sensitization workshop at Trinity College Nabbingo last week, the headteacher Nakate Kikomeko, who is also National Chairperson for head-teachers, said they were proud to have been brought on board.

Wamanga said the five-month course will be availed to schools through arrangements with the schools administrations.

According to the National Policy for ICT in the Education Sector, all head-teachers must be trained in ICT.