The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) on Monday (April 29th, 2019) donated digital learning tablets worth UGX450 million to a total of 11 government aided schools to facilitate the establishment of digital libraries.
The initiative will enable students and teachers use digital technology in classrooms to improve the quality of learning.
NSSF Managing Director Richard Byarugaba said that the initiative is being implemented in partnership with the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), the authority responsible for development, management and circulation of approved national curriculum.
The Digital Libraries comprises portable computers (tablets) that are loaded with the approved National Curriculum for secondary schools for senior one to senior six. The curriculum content includes assessments.
At a ceremony to handover the digital library kits at Mpummudde Seed Secondary School in Jinja, Byarugaba saidinitiative will transform and digitize teaching and learning in schools that face the challenge of inadequate resources and facilities impairing the students’ quality of education compared to their peers in privileged schools.
“The traditional education system is undergoing a transformation owing to ever-advancing technology and we are seeing more use of computing devices for teaching and learning. Unfortunately, the use of technology in Uganda’s education system is almost non-existent especially in government-aided schools that are often underfunded. We would like to be part of the solution to revolutionalise teaching and learning in Uganda through use of technology,” he said
The ceremony was presided over by the State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysestom Muyingo.
“We are donating 440 digital learning tablets. Each beneficiary schools will receive 40 tablets. We hope to support more schools starting next year in support of the National Curriculum Development Center,” Byarugaba added
The beneficiary schools are Mpummudde Seed Secondary School Jinja; Nabumali High School Mbale, Atutur Seed Secondary School in Soroti, Muni Girls Secondary School in Arua, Paicho Secondary School in Gulu, Atapara Secondary School, Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School in Hoima, Kagamba Secondary School in Mbarara. Kyenjojo Secondary School in Fort Portal and St. Charles Lwanga SS, Kasasa in Masaka.
The Minister thanked NSSF for their efforts towards transforming teaching and learning in government secondary schools.
“With this initiative, students in government schools that do not have access to the same modern learning facilities as their peers will be able to get exposure and access to modern learning resources and tools. I look forward to a time when all our secondary schools will benefit from type of digital technology to transform teaching and learning,” Hon Muyingo said.
In addition to the national curriculum, the tablets will also have tailored content to promote Financial Literacy and introduce the concept of saving among students in secondary schools.
The establishment of the digital libraries is expected to benefit more than 3500 students in Senior 4 to Senior 6 in the next one year and more than 5200 students in the next two years.
The initiative is one of the activities under the Fund’s Customer Connect Week to reinforce commitment to excellent customer service to members, under the theme “Transform Tomorrow”.
