Computer training project:
A rural IT project has been launched in Nabbaale Sub-county in Mukono District
as part of joint effort by the Prime Institute of Applied Technology and Mass Communication (PIATM) and Central Uganda Conference.
Primary Students Training Computer Skills.
The centre, which is first of planned centres, has been set up in a school at
Ndese, a small village in Nabbaale Sub-county.The project includes classes on IT programmes,such as learning to use the internet and
the use of IT facilities.
The classes are open to different age groups from children in
elementary class to dolescents, farmers and teachers.
It is hoped the project will replicate an IT centre
which has been commissioned in the village.
This would support the development of information linkage
with other communities and Micro-Credit institutions.It will also enhance the effectiveness and efficiency
of Micro-Credit based employment generation and poverty reduction, by combining them
with information technology services support.
The IT centres are also seen as means of improving
local governance, promoting transparency and encouraging local participation
by giving local communities access to information on public service, regulations
and policies and acting as feedback forum.The latest
information on relevant local rural issue, such as market prices for agricultaral goods and medical
information, will also be available to local families. This initiative can help create self-reliance
in communities, and can ultimately support poverty alleviation progrmmes in the country.
Challenges
The following are the challenges faced by the program including;
- Lack of enough training computers.
- Inadequate funds to implement the computer program.
- Unstable power supply.
- Poor transportation and communication system.
Solutions
- Purchase of training computers from Computer Aid International.
- Purchase of generators to solve the problem of unstable power supply.
Future Plans
- Establish ITC centre in each parish.
- Training the youth especially A and O leavers, primary and secondary teachers in rural schools computer skills.
- Establish a database. Through this database we are able to know where farmers reside, activities undertaken;
health problems encountered on each village and then decide on which advice to give accordingly.
Conclusion;
We call upon volunteers to help in the computer program and also any other forms of support that you can accord us.
