Aduku Secondary School ICT Club Excels with “Time Master” at the Northern Region ICT Clubs Competition
The Northern Region ICT Clubs Competition, held at Gulu University’s multipurpose laboratory, was a true celebration of youthful innovation and problem-solving through technology. The event brought together brilliant students from across the region, all eager to showcase how ICT can be harnessed to address everyday community challenges. Among the most remarkable participants was Aduku Secondary School from Kwania District, whose ICT Club presented their project titled “Time Master: Smart School Bell and Announcement System.”
In a closely contested competition, Aduku SS emerged in third place with 81.2%, following Dr. Obote College in second place and Lira Town College in first. This recognition highlighted not only the school’s technical skill but also its creativity in solving a problem that many schools across Uganda experience daily.
Addressing a Common Challenge with Innovation
The students of Aduku SS identified a challenge familiar to most schools: manual bells and announcements that often result in poor time management, missed communications, and a lack of punctuality. Prefects and staff members are required to shoulder the responsibility of ringing bells and passing reminders, which creates inconsistency and unnecessary workload.
To overcome this, the ICT Club designed Time Master, a fully automated, web-based smart bell and announcement system. The innovation integrates a digital real-time clock, automated bell sounds, and voice announcements delivered through speech synthesis technology. By programming daily routines into the system, the school ensures consistent communication, discipline, and punctuality without depending on manual intervention.
Features and Resources
The Time Master system is simple yet powerful. It runs in any modern browser and includes:
- A real-time clock and date display for accuracy.
- Automated audio bells at scheduled times.
- Voice announcements for lessons, assemblies, meals, or prep times.
- A customizable schedule that administrators can easily adjust.
- Visual branding, including the school logo and national flag.
- A responsive interface with animations and user controls.
The project was developed using readily available resources such as a computer, speakers, internet connection, and free development tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The students—Acen Joan Onume (S5), Ojode Emmanuel (S5), and Okonye Joshua (S5)—worked under the guidance of their teacher, Mr. Oyugi Jackson, with testing support from school staff.
Impact and Replication
The final product is not only a working prototype but also a practical solution for schools across Uganda, particularly those with limited resources. By reducing reliance on staff and prefects, Time Master promotes punctuality, saves time, and ensures that the school routine runs seamlessly. The fact that the system requires only a basic computer with speakers makes it easily replicable in other schools nationwide.
A demonstration video of the project is available here: Watch Demo.
Acknowledgements and Partnerships
The success of Aduku SS and the entire competition was made possible through the invaluable support and partnerships that nurtured both the students and their projects. Special thanks go to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for funding and sustaining the ICT Clubs initiative, which empowers students to innovate with technology.
We also extend our appreciation to Gulu University and ISBAT University, who jointly organised and hosted the competition, providing the technical expertise, venue, and mentorship necessary for such a vibrant event. KAWA (Kisubi Associated Writers Agency) deserves recognition for training and guiding ICT Clubs across the country, ensuring that learners are well-prepared to transform ideas into real solutions.
The competition was graced by key officials and partners including Robert Mbassa (UCC), Winnie Mukholi (UCC), Precious Mia Akidi (UCC Officer Technical Services, Gulu), Okello Gilbert (Lecturer, ISBAT University), Oporia Edwin Max (KAWA Judge), Kuloba George (KAWA), Mukwanga George (ISBAT), and Flavia Laker (ISBAT University). Moses Wamanga of KAWA also played a pivotal role as ICT Clubs Coordinator. Gulu University’s Vice Chancellor was ably represented by Dr. Olok Tabo Geoffrey, Head of the Computer Science Department.
Looking Ahead
By winning third place at the Northern Region competition, Aduku SS ICT Club has demonstrated how local innovation can solve local problems. Their project offers inspiration for other schools in the district and beyond to embrace ICT not only as a subject but also as a tool for discipline, efficiency, and modernization.
The ICT Clubs initiative continues to reveal the boundless creativity of Uganda’s learners, and Aduku SS stands proudly among the champions shaping the digital future of education in the country.
