Gulu Secondary Schools Receive 40 Laptops to Enhance Digital Learning

Four secondary schools in Gulu City are set to enhance their digital learning programs following a donation of 40 laptop computers. The computers, provided by the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) through the Mapenduzi Foundation, have been distributed to Gulu High School, Gulu Army Secondary School, Sacred Heart Secondary School, and Gulu Senior Secondary School.

These schools have historically contended with a scarcity of functional computers, hindering students’ ability to conduct research and develop crucial digital literacy skills. The new laptops are expected to bridge this gap, offering students much-needed access to technology.

School administrators have expressed gratitude for the donation while also highlighting ongoing challenges. At Gulu High School, Headteacher Beatrice Nagudi noted the need for improvements in infrastructure, staffing, and resources, despite the welcome arrival of the laptops.

Similarly, Gulu Army Secondary School, which currently has students learning in tents due to infrastructure deficits, plans to establish a fully equipped computer laboratory with the new machines. Major Kenneth Bushanya Kwikwriza, the headteacher, emphasized how the donation will facilitate this.

Gulu City Senior Education Officer Proscovia Aber urged the recipient schools to prioritize teacher training. She stressed that equipping teachers with the skills to effectively use the new computers is vital for imparting digital knowledge to the students.

Lobbyist for the donation, Bardege-Layibi MP Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, acknowledged that 40 computers are a starting point, aiming for at least 50 per school. He pledged to continue advocating for more resources, stating that schools without adequate technology cannot compete effectively.

The donation arrives amidst a broader national concern regarding digital access in schools. A recent UNICEF assessment revealed a significant deficit, with an average of one digital device for every 63 students across Uganda’s secondary schools, and many institutions lacking basic necessities like electricity and reliable internet.

Education officials concur that while the laptops are a vital lifeline, their sustainable use depends on accompanying teacher training, consistent electricity, internet connectivity, and proper maintenance. For the students in Gulu, however, these 40 laptops represent a tangible step towards greater participation in Uganda’s increasingly digital educational landscape.

Source: Nile Post