Schools embrace new computing power

Students attend computer lessons at Buddo Christian Secondary School.

Integrating technology into classrooms is an effective way to connect with students of all learning styles. As a result, many schools in Uganda have started embracing technology through offering computer studies as well as being connected to different networks for easy teaching.

Buddo Christian Secondary School is one of the schools that have been connected to windows multipoint server system in order to promote computer literacy in the young generation.

Windows multipoint server is an operating system based on Microsoft Windows Server using remote desktop services technology to host multiple simultaneous independent computing stations or terminals connected to a single computer.

“Before installing this system, we used to teach in shifts. We have 33 operational computers serving a ratio of one to two. This has been the biggest instalment we have received to set up a fully-fledged laboratory,” says Mr Yose Budde, the headmaster of Buddo Christian Secondary School.

He adds: “Our target is to ensure that students are computer literate before they leave this school.”

Mr John Kyakuwa, the executive director of Computer Works Uganda, the IT firm which installed this system at the school, says the system helps schools, especially those without enough computers since a single computer can be connected to different terminals.

“In a bid to promote computer literacy in schools and make technology in schools affordable, Computer Works Uganda working with the Global Access Technology Foundation and Connecting Boarders Foundation are spearheading the initiative in different local schools.

On top of installing the system, the company also donates computers to schools.

“Alternatively, our system being cost effective the schools can acquire the system through a full payment, termly installment purchases from us or through our partner banks that provide schools loans to purchase the system.”

Ms Florence Bagunywa Nkalubo, the school director, says in a bid to promote computer literacy, government should roll out a scheme for all students to have access to computers and support this cause.

“Most of the schools lack computers, this donation is mostly for those that cannot afford to buy them, she says.

About the system

The system comes pre-equipped with education digital contents where students of all academic background can easily visualize their area of specialization, example biology, and chemistry, global and local geography.

This system enhances student classroom engagements, disseminate classroom materials and easy to track student progress among other things.

The system has educative software for science subjects, offline encyclopedia and it has a power saving system in it.

Mr James Kyeyune the director of Mbabaali Memorial Primary School, one of the schools that installed this system as a donation, says the system is user friendly as one does not need to connect to the Internet to search for what they need.

“We did not have a computer laboratory but after the donation from Computer Works, we were able to set up one. This has enabled more children to acquire computer knowledge,” he says.

Ms Sherry Byakutaaga, the director of Millennium High School Kikonda, in Kyankwanzi District, another school that installed this system, says the system has enabled them to modern technology.

“The enrollment in the school has tremendously improved because many parents want their children to gain computer skills,” she said.