Govt's intention to supply computers in secondary schools was to advance learning of sciences however, the computers are not being put to good use
Heads of schools and principals have been advised to effectively put to use computers provided by government to advance learning of sciences in schools.
The call was made by the state minister for higher education, Prof. Sande Sevens Tichodri Togboa, while addressing heads of schools during the senior five selection exercise.
The two-day exercise is taking place at Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) showground in Lugogo, Kampala.
Togboa revealed that last year, he visited different secondary schools countrywide, but to his dismay, computer laboratories in most schools were locked while teachers were seated under trees gossiping.
He explained that government's intention to supply computers in secondary schools was to advance learning of sciences however, the computers are not being put to good use.
"Government equipped science laboratories with computers and other facilities to enhance training, skilling and teaching of sciences so as to attract more students to do sciences. However, the facilities provided by government through ministry of Education are not fully utilized to achieve the intended purpose," he said.
Adding; "Do not leave these computers idle, use them maximally to achieve the purpose for why they were supplied to the schools.
Togboa noted that the ministry wants more scientists produced to meet the labor demand in fields like Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Agriculture, Oil and Gas sector, Health and Energy sectors.
"As heads of schools, I appeal to you to embrace this affirmative action, put to use science facilities existing in your schools and encourage more students to do science subjects to meet the labour demand," he added.
A teacher that preferred anonymity agreed that most schools have science facilities and computers, but the problem is that is such schools lack the right personnel with right computer skills to teach the learners.
She proposed that as government provides computers to schools, it should also post ICT teachers to such schools to give learners the right information and knowledge, thus enhancing learning of science subjects.