Govt-aided schools to get internet
Aug 05, 2008
Government-aided schools are to get internet services, education minister Namirembe Bitamazire has said.
By Francis Kagolo
Government-aided schools are to get internet services, education minister Namirembe Bitamazire has said.
The scheme, she said, was aimed at making the education sector more relevant to the economy.
“The Government has identified information and communication technology (ICT) as a key tool for development and the education sector can play a big role in the development of ICT human resource,†she said.
Bitamazire said her ministry was seeking funds from the Uganda Communications Commission to provide rural schools with internet connectivity at a low cost.
She added that the institutions would be asked to allow the public to use the internet at a subsidised fee after school hours.
“This will lead to the provision of ICT services to a bigger population and will enable schools to earn some income,†she said.
Her message was contained in a speech read by higher education state minister Gabriel Opio during a function at Makerere University’s Faculty of Computing on Friday.
Opio explained that the faculty would implement the ministry’s ICT project.
In rural areas where there is no electricity, Opio said, solar energy would be used to enable internet connectivity.
“ICT is an important tool of improving institutional management and causing development through providing information to the masses.â€
For poor schools which cannot raise funds for the necessary equipment, Opio said, the ministry would seek fund from donors to support them.
The ceremony was organised to officially close a Euros 5.7m (about sh14b) ICT project that has been running at the four public universities; Makerere, Busitema, Kyambogo, Mbarara and Gulu since 2004.
The programme was funded by the Netherlands.
“The project has strengthened ICT human resource and research capacity building in our public universities,†said Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, the dean of the computing and information technology faculty.
Government-aided schools are to get internet services, education minister Namirembe Bitamazire has said.
The scheme, she said, was aimed at making the education sector more relevant to the economy.
“The Government has identified information and communication technology (ICT) as a key tool for development and the education sector can play a big role in the development of ICT human resource,†she said.
Bitamazire said her ministry was seeking funds from the Uganda Communications Commission to provide rural schools with internet connectivity at a low cost.
She added that the institutions would be asked to allow the public to use the internet at a subsidised fee after school hours.
“This will lead to the provision of ICT services to a bigger population and will enable schools to earn some income,†she said.
Her message was contained in a speech read by higher education state minister Gabriel Opio during a function at Makerere University’s Faculty of Computing on Friday.
Opio explained that the faculty would implement the ministry’s ICT project.
In rural areas where there is no electricity, Opio said, solar energy would be used to enable internet connectivity.
“ICT is an important tool of improving institutional management and causing development through providing information to the masses.â€
For poor schools which cannot raise funds for the necessary equipment, Opio said, the ministry would seek fund from donors to support them.
The ceremony was organised to officially close a Euros 5.7m (about sh14b) ICT project that has been running at the four public universities; Makerere, Busitema, Kyambogo, Mbarara and Gulu since 2004.
The programme was funded by the Netherlands.
“The project has strengthened ICT human resource and research capacity building in our public universities,†said Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, the dean of the computing and information technology faculty.