Agwata SS ICT Club Launch Highlights the Need for Skills, Access and Digital Readiness

At Agwata Secondary School in Dokolo District, the launch of the ICT Club brought together an important message: digital transformation in schools is not only about having equipment, but also about building the skills, systems, responsibility, and support needed to make technology useful for learners.

The ICT Club launch and training took place on 19th February 2025 and was facilitated by Kyasima Freedom on behalf of Kisubi Associated Writers Agency (KAWA). The activity was conducted under the ICT Clubs programme supported by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and UCUSAF.

The visit aimed at officially launching the school ICT Club, orienting learners and school leaders on the purpose of the programme, and equipping students with foundational digital knowledge and practical ICT skills. It also encouraged learners to use technology as a tool for problem-solving, creativity, innovation, and preparation for future opportunities.

The school leadership, led by Headteacher Mr Acon John Bosco, together with ICT Teacher Mr Jimmy Okello, welcomed the initiative and engaged with the KAWA team on how the ICT Club can support digital learning and improve the sustainability of ICT resources at the school.

Before the training began, learners were invited to share their expectations. Many hoped to gain practical computer skills beyond normal classroom lessons. Others wanted to learn how to maintain and protect ICT equipment, improve internet use, explore coding, develop digital content, and understand innovation. Some learners also expressed interest in teamwork, mentorship, problem-solving, and career preparation in the digital world.

During the session, learners were guided to understand that an ICT Club is not just a place for using computers. It is a platform for building responsibility, leadership, creativity, and ownership. Members of the club were encouraged to become active custodians of the school computer laboratory and to support proper use, care, and maintenance of ICT equipment.

KAWA provided educational materials to support the training, including PowerPoint presentations, practical demonstrations, case studies, and interactive exercises. Learners were also introduced to the ICT Clubs website, www.ictclubs.ug, as a platform where they can access tutorials, innovation resources, and learning materials to continue building their digital skills beyond the launch.

The official launch was conducted through a recorded speech message from the Executive Director of UCC, Mr Nyombi Thembo. His message emphasised the importance of digital skills, responsible use of technology, innovation, and the role of learners in sustaining school ICT laboratories. This helped students appreciate that they are part of a wider national effort to strengthen ICT use and digital learning in schools across Uganda.

KAWA worked with the school administration, ICT teacher, and club patron to establish the ICT Club and guide the formation of student leadership structures. Learners were introduced to the importance of leadership, accountability, teamwork, and proper organisation. A standard ICT Club constitution template was also shared to support formal club operations.

The ICT Club Handbook was provided to guide the school in areas such as club leadership, learner participation, innovation activities, digital skills development, responsible use of technology, and practical club management. A digital copy was shared for continued use by the patron, teachers, and student leaders throughout the year.

The digital skills training introduced learners to ICT laboratory management and sustainability, basic computer maintenance, troubleshooting, internet safety, cybersecurity awareness, coding, innovation, and Artificial Intelligence. The sessions encouraged learners to handle ICT equipment responsibly, practise safe internet use, and begin applying technology to real-life school and community challenges.

A key part of the visit was the discussion on the realities affecting ICT use at the school. Challenges noted included unreliable power supply, inadequate ICT infrastructure, limited time for club activities, low digital literacy among some learners, and the need to sustain momentum after the launch. The team also observed specific infrastructure concerns, including limited network access from the staff room and non-functional keyboards on some of the laptops provided by NITA-U.

The school administration further raised the need to relocate the solar battery and the internet access point from their location at the time of training to a more suitable place connected to the computer laboratory. This was an important concern because the effective use of ICT equipment depends not only on availability of devices, but also on proper placement, power access, connectivity, and maintenance.

Learners were also informed about preparation for ANCC 2026. This encouraged them to take ICT Club activities seriously, strengthen teamwork, and begin developing practical projects and innovations that can represent their school in future technology platforms.

The expected outcomes of the Agwata SS ICT Club include improved sustainability of the computer laboratory, stronger learner ownership of ICT resources, safe and ethical use of technology, and increased participation in practical ICT projects. The club is also expected to prepare learners for mentorship, digital creation, innovation programmes, and future careers in the digital world.

KAWA encouraged the school to allocate regular time for ICT Club activities, strengthen support from the administration and patron, and continue receiving mentorship and follow-up training. Improving ICT infrastructure, strengthening connectivity, repairing faulty equipment, and ensuring reliable power will help the club become a sustainable centre for digital learning and innovation.

The launch at Agwata Secondary School marked an important step in building learner capacity, promoting responsible technology use, and highlighting the practical support schools need to make ICT Clubs effective. With continued commitment from the school, KAWA, UCC, and UCUSAF, the ICT Club can become a strong platform for skills development, innovation, and digital readiness.

KAWA sincerely appreciates UCC and UCUSAF for their continued support towards the establishment and training of ICT Clubs in schools across Uganda.