UCC hands over state-of-the-art ICT lab

Students in the computer lab

The handover of a state-of-the-art solar-powered Information and Computer Technology (ICT) computer laboratory comprising of 41 computers and accessories to Bezza Al Hijji Secondary School is expected to boost the study of sciences in the school. The laboratory, which was installed at sh90m by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) under the Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF) gives an opportunity to children of less privileged to have a chance to become a doctor, a scientist or an engineer.

General Moses Ali, the First Deputy Prime Minister, said technological skills are necessary for one to participate in the global economy, and the use of ICT in education can also improve the quality of teaching and learning. Gen. Ali, who is also the school's director, noted that the Government realises the need for Uganda to embrace the fourth industrial digital revolution without forgetting children from rural areas. "Through this laboratory, students at this school will no longer struggle to search for information because they will get it from the Internet. This is an excellent step in the right direction," Gen. Ali said.

Nyombi Tembo (third left) stressing a point to Gen. Ali in the laboratory

The director, who is also the Member of Parliament for Adjumani West County, went on explain that the use of technology is at the centre of the industrial revolution, thus creating room for new forms of delivery of educational content. Combined with technologies that continue to develop at breakneck speed, the result is a world that has the means to learn at large scale. The global challenge for education is not just about providing access to it, but also ensuring its progress. "It is no secret that good education has the power to change a life. What is new is the demand for that change. It is always fulfi lling to acquire a new skill, especially computer skills, which have become an essential tool because the world is rapidly transforming into a digital era," he explained.

He said since 2003, the Government of Uganda, through the RCDF, has implemented several ICT projects for rural areas such as setting up Internet cafes, ICT training centres, postal service expansion and GSM towers throughout the country.

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