Airtel partners with UNICEF to Improve Access to Digital learning

Teachers have cried out to the Government to intervene and see that the cost of the internet is reduced to enable them to deliver online lessons to learners .

Speaking at the launch of digital learning in schools by Ministry of Education , UNICEF and Airtel Uganda to connect schools to internet , at Kitende Secondary school one of the teachers Adadi Tumusiime said that if the online learning is to go on well it needs a lot of resources in form of infrastructures and ICT tools.

The 5 year pilot digital program will see children from rural schools in Karamoja, West Nile and central regions connected to quality learning being delivered by teachers from urban schools.

The communication officer for UNICEF Catherine Ntabadde said that all the 10 schools where the program is being piloted will be connected to free internet to allow children to develop digital skills and access online learning content.

Ntabadde also said that the digital platforms will address learning needs in case of future Pandemics.

The digital learning program kicked off on Monday with a biology teacher Martin Kizito from kitende secondary school delivering an online lesson which was also attended by learners of St Mary's Assumpta girls High school in Adjumani district.

Kizito said he had a good experience sharing a class with students he had never seen but he however said that the program needed a lot of preparation and resources." The program is good because it brings a lot of excitement to the learners and they pick up very first , however it needs a lot of preparations.'' Kizito said

Another Teacher Adadi Tumusiime said that although the program was good and will simplify their work, it needs infrastructures such as ICT tools and low internet costs to support it .