Uganda Unveils Digital Agenda, Permits Phone Use in Schools

In a historic move on Thursday, August 22, 2024, Minister of Education Janet Museveni announced that Uganda secondary school students are now allowed to use phones in schools. This announcement was made during the launch of the newly developed Education Digital Agenda. The Education Digital Agenda is the tool that will guide the country in the proper use of ICT in schools.

However, this is not the first time that the government has allowed the use of phones in schools. It should be recalled that in March 2022, Mr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, State Minister for Higher Education, announced that the government had allowed students to carry smartphones to school to increase ICT access. Excitement spread among certain groups after the announcement.

Questions arose from a significant section of the public, inquiring how the government was going to restrict internet use so that learners do not access illegal websites. There were so many questions about the move that the government was forced to call it off. Now, the move Is back again, this time more prepared and thought through..

How the Digital Agenda will be Implemented

Immediately after the news of allowing the use of digital devices started circulating around the country, the most concerned group was definitely teachers. One of the teachers had this to say: “Not even in the next 10 years, the journey to digital education is still another dream.”

In the implementation of new ideas, such mindsets are expected. Since 2022, the government has had enough time to come up with the digital agenda. Clear measures had to be developed before allowing the use of phones. There is even a plan to educate parents on how to ensure cyber security at home when learners are using phones.

One key thing to note is that the government has only allowed the use of phones and related digital devices in schools by the schools themselves. “Privately owned gadgets will not be permitted in schools since details of guidelines on the use of ICT tools in education are still being developed,” said Assistant Commissioner of ICT at the Education Ministry, Patrick Muinda.

Furthermore, there is enough evidence showing the unfamiliarity of many educators with ICT advancement in education. As a result, the use of phones will need to be handled step by step. The government projects this will take at least seven years, with an investment worth 1.3 trillion shillings to realize and implement the digital agenda.10. .