During the recent launch of ICT Clubs, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), delivered a powerful message addressing the importance of ICT in schools and the critical role it plays in the development of young people and teachers.
In his speech, Hon. Thembo expressed his enthusiasm about working with schools, emphasizing that by engaging with young people, UCC is reaching the hearts and minds of future leaders. He highlighted the importance of involving teachers, describing them as the soul of the country, and reinforced the idea that by supporting both students and teachers, UCC’s interventions are making a far-reaching impact.
Hon. Thembo acknowledged that UCC’s mandate is to reach underserved areas, and schools, particularly secondary schools, serve as key entry points to these regions. Over the past eight years, UCC has successfully installed basic ICT labs in 1,030 secondary schools, covering almost 90% of government schools. Although these labs may be basic, Hon. Thembo explained that the intention was to establish a proof of concept—demonstrating that ICT is viable and critical for education. He expressed pride in the fact that ICT has now become an examinable subject at both O and A levels, and UCC remains committed to continuing its collaboration with schools.
However, Hon. Thembo also addressed challenges encountered with the sustainability of ICT labs in schools. He mentioned that many schools have struggled with maintaining the labs, leaving them dysfunctional due to small maintenance issues. In some cases, there was a lack of appreciation for the importance of ICT, with labs being neglected or mismanaged. He recounted a specific incident where an ICT teacher left a lab locked and unused for two months because the teacher took the key with him during an absence, highlighting the need for greater accountability.
In response to these challenges, UCC introduced a program to retool teachers, helping them and the heads of institutions better understand the value of ICT. While improvements have been seen, Hon. Thembo noted that UCC decided to shift more responsibility for lab management to the students themselves, which led to the creation of ICT Clubs. He explained that, starting from the current financial year, UCC will only collaborate with schools that have functional ICT labs and active ICT Clubs.
In partnership with KAWA, UCC aims to strengthen this initiative and ensure the sustainability of ICT labs. Hon. Thembo stressed that every school should have an ICT Club, as this will help address minor maintenance issues and allow for remote monitoring of school labs. He expressed confidence that this approach will enhance the long-term sustainability of ICT projects in schools.
Hon. Thembo encouraged schools to take ICT seriously, urging them to leverage the support from UCC and KAWA to enhance their educational outcomes. He emphasized that ICT is vital for the present and future, and the success of these initiatives lies in the commitment of both teachers and students.
This message from Hon. Thembo underscores UCC’s dedication to ensuring ICT reaches underserved areas through schools and the strategic role of ICT Clubs in promoting sustainability.