By Mark Kawalya
In a bid to revolutionize science education in Uganda, the Ministry of Education and Sports, through the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion program, has facilitated a specialized ICT training for 40 science teachers from secondary schools in Adjumani and Moyo districts. This initiative is aimed at integrating technology into science education to foster a modern learning environment.
The five-day boot camp was held at St. Mary Assumpta Secondary School. It equipped educators with the necessary skills to incorporate digital tools into their classrooms. Alex Opono, an ICT teacher at St. Mary Assumpta Girls Secondary School, expressed his appreciation for the program. He highlighted the importance of the resources provided: “Airtel and UNICEF’s contributions, particularly the provision of internet access and computers, have been invaluable for this training.”
St. Mary Assumpta Girls Secondary School is among over 70 schools in Uganda benefiting from the Airtel-UNICEF partnership. The initiative is aimed at advancing digital learning by enhancing internet connectivity and upgrading computer labs with new laptops and desktops. The support allows both teachers and students to access online educational tools and websites. It also fosters interactive and high-quality lessons. Airtel and UNICEF are extending this partnership across 13 African countries where Airtel operates.
The training sessions are led by lecturers from Makerere University Business School. It covered key topics such as the adoption of ICT in teaching, the use of digital educational tools, and the creation of visual learning materials. Teachers were introduced to tools such as PowerPoint, Articulate, PowToon, Audacity, and Video Editor, learning how to incorporate these tools into their lessons. Feedback from mock presentations helped participants refine their skills and enhance lesson quality.
Through the internet access provided, educators accessed an online Learning Management System (LMS) and other digital resources. This empowered them to transform science education in subjects such as mathematics, biology, physics, and chemistry.
Manoj Murali, Managing Director of Airtel Uganda, emphasized the significance of the project: “Through this partnership, we are not only connecting teachers to digital tools but also fostering a love for learning and curiosity in students. This boot camp is a crucial step toward building a technologically advanced and globally competitive education system.”
