The Ministry of Education and Sports and the Office of the Minister of Education and Sports have clarified that handheld mobile devices such as phones, tablets, and the like are not allowed for use by learners in School premises.
The Ministry says it is yet to finalize development of Policy Standards and Guidelines to regulate the use of Digital Tools and Technologies in Schools while elaborating on the roles and expectations for each stakeholder – schools, teachers, learners, parents, internet service providers, and digital device providers in Schools.
“Until the said Policy Guidelines are in place, handheld mobile devices such as phones, tablets, and the like are not allowed for use by learners in School premises,” says Dr. Dennis K. Mugimba, the Ministry of Education and Sports Spokesperson in a statement dated September 9, 2024.
This is after the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet K. Museveni, launched the Ministry’s Digital Agenda Strategy on the 22nd of August 2024.
This has since raised concerns from the public surrounding the introduction of mobile digital devices in Basic and Secondary level Schools.
Mugimba says “the Digital Agenda Strategy captures our intentions as a Ministry to increase utilization of electronic tools and technologies in efficient delivery of both learning and management of quality education and sports for all in a safe and phased approach.”
He says that school desktops and laptops within the computer laboratory facilities remain the preferred choice of utilization of digital tools for learners under a common-user facility arrangement to prevent undue financial burden on parents.
“As the responsible Ministry, the principle of digital information security and online learner-safety is top priority in the delivery of Digital Education interventions for all Institutions of Learning,” says Mugimba, adding that it is the responsibility of the responsible accounting officer in each Institution of Learning in any category – Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Universities/Other Degree awarding Institutions – regulated by the Ministry of Education and Sports to ensure that internet provided by the institution does not at any time expose learners to any form of unacceptable content such as pornography, gambling, criminal websites, and the like as may be defined in the various applicable Laws of Uganda including but not limited to the Computer Misuse Act, 2011.