The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has launched a drive to establish digital libraries in government aided schools in Uganda.
This comes two months after the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) started to roll out its digital syllabus for secondary schools.
Several schools, especially where middle class parents take their children, have already subscribed to the new system. Their students are now using tablets for learning.
At a colourful launch ceremony yesterday in Jinja, Richard Byarugaba, the NSSF Managing Director said the fund was initially spending UGX 450 million to establish the libraries.
“Don’t put your money in buildings. Get these kids computers and they will learn. We will continue to roll out the libraries in partnership with the NCDC,” Byarugaba said. His audience at Mpumudde Seed Secondary School included central and local government leaders, students and teachers.
Forty tablets, already installed with the NCDC’s digital syllabus and the fund’s financial literacy content, were given to Mpumudde on top of renovations and installation of the necessary furniture in the school’s library.
More than 10 schools are to receive the digital libraries this round. These include Nabumali High School in Mbale, Sir. Tito Winy SS in Hoima and Kasasa SS in Masaka.
“The use of digital in our education is almost nonexistent,” Byarugaba said. “Please embrace the digital technology that we are enrolling to you as part of the fund’s Corporate Social Responsibility.”
James Droti, the NCDC Head of Curriculum and Coordinator Virtual Learn, the project under which the digital syllabus has been introduced, said: “The world is changing and it has become technical. If you don’t have ICT in your education then you will be left behind.”
Virtual learn was designed by the NCDC in partnership with the technology company Sensal Systems.
