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programme to sensitize schools on the use of the Internet has been
launched at the Ministry of Education and Sports headquarters in
Kampala.The Programme, run by the Uganda Connect Project, aims to
introduce students and teachers to the use of the Internet ax a teaching
aid and source of information. It is based on a local area network (LAN)
connected to the World Wide Web (WWW) by Microwave transmitters. Schools
seeking information on particular subjects can apply for free workshops
during which their students can surf and down load data. Head teachers can
contact the project director on the first floor of the Uganda Development
Corporation (UDC) building, Parliament Avenue, Kampala.
Daniel Stern, the project
director, said the programme emphasizes the hands-on approach in training
students in computer and Internet |
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Information
and Communications Technologies (ICTs). It has since conducted several
similar training programmes including one for MPs and minister held in
March 1997. Stern said his organisation has innovated several ways of
connecting schools to the Internet. The project’s interconnectivity‘s
programme has led to five of the 10 Uganda World Links for Development
schools being connected to the internet by GSM (Mobile phone technology).
“We have pioneered the use of spread spectrum microwave radio as an
affordable means of providing good bandwidth, by passing the expensive
telecommunications network. A wireless schools network is now being
installed,” Stern Said. The project has already set up a telecentre in
Hoima to provide schools in the area with access to Internet. Plans are
underway to connect Kihihi High school in Rukungiri district to the
Internet by VHF. “ I have already promised a computer to the school
since it has a generator,” Stern Said. “We also intend to twin three
schools in Kihihi with three other schools in Belgium.”
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| use. “We
spend most of the time on practicals. We want to train trainers of
trainers who will pass on over the knowledge to thousands of Ugandan
student’s “ He told Education Vision. Thirty students from the
S3 Literature class of [Nabisunsa] Girl’s school were the first to
benefit from the prgarmme during the first workshop held last Tuesday. The
students surfed and downloaded images and |
information
on the renowned plays and poets in Literature. “Students often find the
language in Shakespeare’s plays a bit hard. But it is now easier for
them to follow when we use the Internet,” Commented Brenda Tibamwenda,
the senior three Literature teacher. The Uganda Connect Project was stared
four years ago by the Ministry of Education to conduct a training of
Trainers programme for Ugandan students in the use of |
By
Anthony Mugeere
