Fifteen schools in Northern Uganda have had digital learning equipment installed in their classrooms and turned into MultiChoice Resource Centers.
The MultiChoice Resource Centers (MRC) programme is a continental Corporate Social Investment initiative that aims at enhancing the traditional classroom learning experience using digital technology.
MultiChoice Uganda General Manager said their business has grown hand-in-hand with local economies by forging long-term partnerships with governments, national broadcasters and entrepreneurs.
“So far we have equipped over 90 MRCs in schools across the country and our plan is to continue to make a lasting impact to the lives of students across this country. We want to use our influence and resources to play a positive role in Africa, helping to grow Africa’s people and creative industries into vibrant, economic powerhouses. Through the educational channels we offer on our platform we believe we are working towards a common goal with our partners the Ministry of Education in achieving positive impact in the education sector,” Mr Hamya said at the launch held at St Joseph’s College Layibi.
Speaking at the same function Fred Kyaka, the Assistant Commissioner for Secondary Education, lauded MultiChoice Uganda for supplementing the Ministry’s efforts in enhancing education across the country.
“Education is a key factor to individual, institutional or economic success. MultiChoice’s commitment in investing in education has demonstrated sound responsibility on the part of corporate entities of the importance of adding value to society, and making a positive difference,” Mr Kyaka said.
He further urged the headteachers and students of schools where the MRCs centers have been installed to utilize them.
“The world is no longer what we just see around us, we live in a truly competitive global village and everything is now digital. Therefore, there is a need for us to ensure that our education meets international standards,” Mr Kyaka added.
MultiChoice Uganda Public Relations Manager Tina Wamala, while closing the event, highlighted the benefits of the MRCs, saying the initiative will only be impactful if the beneficiaries utilize the tools.
“We have provided the equipment and the training; what we cannot provide is the desire to learn and absorb the information. The hard part starts with you and it starts now,” Ms Wamala said.
The MRC programme is part of the continental MultiChoice Africa initiative, backed by NEPAD so far over 1,500 schools across the continent and more than 300,000 students have benefited from the programme since its inception in 2004.
In April 2011, the project was re-launched in Uganda after the signing of an MOU between the Ministry of Education and MultiChoice which sought to bring more schools onto the programme, in the process extending the reach and impact of the MRC programme to all parts of the country. The launch of the programme in Northern region now implies that the program has been covered in all regions of the country.
