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ICT Transforming Education in Africa: UNESCO Republic of Korea Funds-in-trust Phase III Project launched in Uganda amidst high expectations of digital transformation
The government of Uganda and UNESCO officially launched the Korean Funds-In-Trust (KFIT) implementation phase III Project in the country. The event held on 28th January 2025 at Fairway Hotel, in Kampala was organized by the Ministry of Education and Sports - MoES with support from the UNESCO Antenna Office in Uganda. The overarching goal of the project is to ensure that all Ugandan educators and learners use ICT to engage successfully with competency-based education.
The hybrid event attended by an estimated 40 participants attracted in-country participants from ministries, departments and agencies, academia, civil society Organizations, and diplomatic missions who witnessed the half-day event alongside other delegation who joined virtually.
Uganda is one of the KFIT III beneficiary countries alongside Namibia and Tanzania selected to implement the third phase of the project implementation that will run from 2024 to 2027. The Teacher Education and Training Department (TETD) at the Ministry of Education and Sports will oversee its implementation. The third phase of the project will seek to support the 3 countries to integrate technologies (ICT) in education in a human-centered and inclusive manner fostering equitable access to education to many Ugandan children. Specifically, the project focuses on establishing and strengthening national digital e-learning platforms and contents, building teachers’ capacities, enhancing the digital education policy environment, and improving students’ digital skills.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports was represented by Dr. Safina Museene the Commissioner for Health Education Training who officiated at the launch. She welcomed the initiative and called it a ‘milestone moment,’ noting that “the project holds a huge promise for the future of education in Uganda.” She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Korea and UNESCO for their generous support in advancing our shared goal of achieving quality education, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Uganda specifically, the project will support upgrade of digital platforms, revise ICT frameworks including the operationalization of the Digital Agenda Strategy, pilot teacher training programs, and support the development of policy and guidelines to promote the effective use of technology in education across the country.
Ms. Shafika Isaacs, UNESCO's Chief of Section for ICT and AI in Education while officiating at the closure of the event, emphasized the project's crucial role in driving Uganda's digital agenda strategy forward. “By integrating digital technologies into the education system, the project will not only accelerate progress but also pave the way for significant reforms in the country.” noted Ms. Isaacs Shafika.
Mr. Charles Draecabo, the UNESCO Uganda Antennae Coordinator while making the welcome remarks, highlighted that “the project aims to transform ICT education in Uganda by piloting, testing, designing and scaling up technology-enabled open school systems that can connect school-based and home-based learning.”
Mr. Titus Obali, the Associate Project Officer, KFIT III presented the project concept note He informed participants about the background and expected delivery of the project. He noted that the project implementation in Uganda shall be guided by three major outcomes:
Digital Content and Platforms - Educators and learners in Ugandan schools easily access quality digital resources approved by NCDC via a Learning Management System (LMS).
Educator and learner capacities - Both pre & in-service educators demonstrate capacity to use ICT to create digital lessons and facilitate competency-based education for all, while learners have the requisite skills and knowledge to use ICT to access and benefit from competency-based education online.
Policy - The Ministry of Education and Sports has a streamlined and rationalized direction in the use of ICT in Education for improved teaching, learning and management of service delivery. (Aligned to the National Digital Agenda Strategy)
“The Integration of ICT and digital learning shall create virtual classrooms, e-platforms, and educational apps to address access and equity.”
