Microsoft helps Ugandan government with technology in education

Uganda’s government believes that its Education Ministry’s newly-forged partnership with leading software firm, Microsoft, will help to close the widening gap between schools in the urban and rural parts of the country.

Namirembe Bitamazire, Uganda’s Minister of Education said the move would enhance the performance of the previously ill-equipped teachers.

“This is a very big project that is going to benefit many Ugandans,” Bitamazire told media during the Uganda National Innovative Education Forum held last week at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

Under this partnership with Microsoft, more than 200 000 teachers will be equipped with computer skills, helping to improve learning through the use of technology in schools.

The project will see technology subjects integrated into the school curriculum from primary school to university level.

Mark Matunga, education and citizenship programme manager for Microsoft’s East and Southern African region, says: “We want to provide comprehensive systems bringing together people, practices and technology to provide quality education.”

The programme will implemented in partnership with Makerere University Faculty of Information and Communication Technology and ICT Consults Ltd.