Tuesday, September 23, 2014

WE CAN CHANGE THE REGION:


Teachers from the districts of Kasese under the Connect for Change (C4C) project run by RIC-NET had a field visit to schools in Kabarole. The visit took place on 19th September 2014 with field visit at St.Leo’s college Kyegobe then to Canon Apollo PTC to look at the operation of the college English lab and Kyebambe Girls schools. The main objective was “to learn what the teachers in Kabarole have done and share lessons and experiences”. The main goal is to contribute to improved performance of students through effective teaching-learning process in Secondary schools in Kasese.14 teachers 5 6 female and 8 males representing 3 schools and 1 PTC participated in the field learning trip.


Some of the benefits of integrating ICT into teaching and learning include the following; ICT caters for Different learning Styles of learners, ICT enables learners to play an active role in learning, ICT increases the attention span of learners; A lesson that incorporate ICT well has the ability of engaging learners and therefore tends to capture and hold the attention of the learners for a long time.ICT can provide real-life experiences; ICT can help link the subject taught to real-world situations or examples. For example watching news item on TV about flooding caused by climate change in one part of the world is a real-life, ICT encourages collaborative learning: learners can work in groups to achieve learning objectives. Instead of working alone on projects and activities, learners share ideas, learn team work skills and help each other to accomplish tasks, ICT improves presentation of work; use of word processors and presentation software enables neat presentation of work. This boosts self confidence among learners (and teachers).ICT offers flexibility of anywhere anytime learning.



The lessons learnt were; sharing skills and knowledge is more important. “Our success has largely depended on the support of the school administration” said Lillian of St.Leo’s college. The head teacher has supported us greatly. He appropriated us with the English room and supported us with training. “Adaptation to innovations depends on the person’s attitude to change” said Felix of St.Thereza. I therefore encourage other teachers to be positive to whatever changes and innovations in teaching that comes our way. “ICT innovation improves the teacher’s innovations in lesson preparation” said Edna of Kilembe SS. Preparing a lesson using ICT tools require that you spend good time preparing the lesson which improves the teacher’s creativity. Teachers are also learners all the time and learning is a lifelong process, we should impress this learning ability. “We are not paid in terms of money but the output to the community” Mr. Jobson. English labs are important for the improving the teaching learning ability and teachers promised to work with the administration to have these labs functional. “We are the ones to sustain the project and make it spread to other schools by showing high level of skills and being examples in our schools” Mr. Muhumuza of Kyebambe Girls. We should make proper use of the equipments.



From these lessons we can make difference and change the way English is taught in schools. In doing that the teachers pledged to form an association of teachers from 6 schools such that they can easily share the innovations and influence change of attitude towards the subject on the side of the learn and improve the literacy level. 

Monday, September 22, 2014

RWENZORI REGIONAL CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.



On the 18th and 19th September 2014 , RIC-NET joined RWECO, KRC, NDI, CEDU and NGO Forum to organize and facilitate at the Rwenzori regional consultative meeting on "free and fair elections" that was held at Kagote SDA hall in Fort Portal.

The two day consultative meeting aimed at building consensus on issues for reform and coming up with  citizens proposals and concerns on free and fair elections and other development issues in the Rwenzori region that will be further discussed in the national consultative meeting on free and fair elections.
The meeting was attended by over 200 participants from the 7 districts of the Rwenzori region of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa and Ntoroko Districts. The participants included the RDCs, MPs, District chairperson LC5, religious leaders, political party representatives, representatives of PLWDs, academia, students from universities, cultural institutions representatives, youth representatives, women groups leaders, trader unions and farmers group representatives.



participants  made resolution concerning the independence of the electoral commission; representatives of special groups; democracy under political parties;  relationships of citizens and the elected leaders; the electoral process from registration, campaigning,voting, counting of votes and tallying; nomination fees of different elected leaders positions; demarcation of constituencies; access to media during the electoral process;age qualification of different office bearers; form of government after the general election;tenure of office of the elected leaders; requirements of civil servant in relation to being elected leaders, role of armed forces in the electoral process, decentralization of powers and resources; protection from property deprivation and appointment of constitutional commissions. the citizens resolve to use their resolution as key demands from their members of parliament when the bill on electoral reforms is tabled in parliament.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Empowering ICT teachers/tutors and Lab technicians with repair and maintenance basics

Having realized the day to day challenges of computer lab assistants and or ICT teachers in schools and Teacher training colleges, RIC-NET in partnership with CFSU organized a repair and maintenance training for the teachers and lab assistants.
The two days training that attracted ICT teachers/tutors and lab assistants from St.Charles voc s.s, St. Thereza girls-Nsenyi, kilembe s.s and Bwera teachers college was held in Fort Portal, RIC-NET head office. 
RICNET ED stressing a point
A number of ideas as well as practical (hands on) assignments were performed.
In his opening remarks the Director RIC-NET welcomed the participants and thanked their institutions’ management for having implemented a resolution that was passed of training them (participants) during a head teachers and Principals meeting that was held late last term. He went ahead in delivering one of the two days sessions content about security with computers and internet.
He wished them an inspiring and good two days training and asked them to ask and understand better.
Opening up his session on repair and maintenance, the RIC-NET ICT officer asked the participants to be more attentive, interactive and ask whatever question they would love to about the topic since he had enough expertise in that field.
The training was divided into three sessions; hard ware & security and software on day one and two respectively.
ICT Officer during the training emphasising technical issues
Several issues were discussed and performed during the two days session from 12th-13th sept.2014 including comp. blowing, installations of several software like g operating systems, hard ware troubleshooting among others.
At the end of the 2 days session the participants realized that they are actually the small things that they neglect with their computers that at the end of the day will result into serious computer problems, and thus if safe maintenance measures are practiced, there would be no serious computer break downs.

The participants promised to practice and put the skills acquired to use in their respective institutions and that there would be a field monitoring activity by the RIC-NET ICT officer to find out if there has been any change in their way of handling computers and if such common problems had reduced.
The ICT officer RIC-NET further related the computer maintenance to human health, “just like we handle our health if you took boiled water and slept under a mosquito net you may not contract those malaria and typhoid complications, and so is the same story with computers. If well maintained, scanned they may not reach a step of going down completely” he said
In his closing remarks, the Director RIC-NET asked the participants to cause a change in as far as ICT usage in their institutions is concerned. He told them to be of value to their schools and effectively use the skills attained. He further told them that Information technology is all about the attitude, that even if u acquired the skills and never pick the interest to practice those practical things then you may never progress. 
Participants doing it themselves
The training ended later in the afternoon of the second day and participant

Friday, September 5, 2014

Support Children education by donating to Global fund for children

Dear Friend,
For many of us, the school year is in full swing—school buses once again rumble through our neighborhoods, and our children head off each morning with backpacks stuffed. 
But as a supporter of GFC, you know that for many of the world’s children, school is only a dream. Together, we have the power to change this. 
Peru Huchuy-YachaqPlease donate now and make education a reality for children who would otherwise remain in poverty and a face a future of hardship. 
When you donate to GFC, you support mobile libraries and curbside classrooms that reach children in some of the most underserved communities around the globe. You help make sure girls, indigenous children, and children with disabilities are given equal footing in the classroom and beyond. You give children in conflict zones the opportunity to learn in a safe and caring environment—even in the midst of war. 
To honor children everywhere—the schoolchildren in your community, and those who are still struggling to make their dream of going to school a reality—please donate today.
We couldn’t do this important work without you. Together, we can help bring education to all children, regardless of their circumstances. Thank you!
My Best,

Susan Goodell
Susan Goodell | Chief Executive Officer 
The Global Fund for Children | 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 420 | Washington, DC 20005 |USA 
www.globalfundforchildren.org| ...advancing the dignity of children and youth worldwide