See it happen

It was yet another brighter moment at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel kampala where connect for change and wash partners through I-Network stormed the place for a website design and akvo tool training.

The training facilitated by IICD/I-Network ICT advisor and Luuk Diphoorn and Elma den Toom from connect for change attracted participants from RWECO represented by ICT Officer Yosia, Diocese of Jinja (health dep’t), Health Child, Health Needs Uganda (HNU), LACODEF, Mango tree, computers for schools Uganda (CFSU), ELECU, FAWEU, UCMB, UNHCO and I-Network the hosts.

The training lasted for two days from 15^th-16^th August 2013. This was basically for organizations implementing C4C projects to get more skills in the use of these online platforms.

RWECO implements a project with Connect for change through CFSU in primary and secondary schools.

Training Session

Among issues trained in was the use of websites, having a good website and what it takes to have a functioning website. It was such an interactive session that we got to learn more from each other.

The other important tool during the training was the akvo RSR (Really Simple reporting).  Akvo makes it easy to bring your projects online and share progress with everyone involved and interested. This includes those who are funding the work you do or who wants to see things from your perspective. This is a tool that or an online platform at www.akvor.org

Participants were taken through the platform and how it works. Accounts were created for every partner that participated in the training. It was also noted that any project officer can sign up and always update the page with activity updates especially on connect for change projects.

Creating an Akvo user account.

Click the Register link at the top of your project page or the Akvo home page

(www.akvo.org). Choose your organisation and continue to the setup page.

Enter a username. Your username is what you will enter to sign in to your account. Make it something easy to remember.

Enter your first and last name. Your Akvo RSR account is yours. Updates and comments will display your name, not just that of your organisation.

Enter a password. Eight or more characters, capital and small letters mixed with some numbers, is the most secure. Entering it twice verifies you typed what you thought you typed.

Enter your email address. So we can send you a confirmation email.

Click the Register button. Follow the instructions in the account request email you will receive. Your account request will be reviewed by either your organisation’s administrator or an Akvo staff administrator. Within a couple of days you will receive an email confirming you have been approved, and then you can sign in to Akvo RSR.

Participants wave their certificates high after the training.

RWECO and CFSU page on the akvo.org site is found at Akvo.org - Effective teaching-learning processes by ICT and so at that page you can be able to see a number of updates on the effective teaching learning processes by ICT project implemented here in the Rwenzori region. We updated the page with some stories during the training.

Another important aspect was all about capturing good photos and easy videos that can tell ones story or report easier while reporting online. Participants interviewed them themselves and all these captured videos will be uploaded by the Akvo team.

It was such an interactive training that members at the end of it all were told and encouraged to always update their project pages with activities or what they’ve implemented. However these activity updates are not meant to be long stories but few paragraphs with pictures and straight forward to the point. 

One of the stories i uploaded during the training can be accessed at http://www.akvo.org/rsr/project/353/update/3493/

PARTNERSHIPS FOR BETTER EDUCATION IN UGANDA

Civil Society Organisation under the umbrella of Education Local  Expertise Center Uganda (ELEC-Uganda) at their review meeting held at Margharita Hotel, Lira recognised the need for teaching of local language in primary schools in order to promote holistic education for the children. The participants realised that mother tongue was the engine for any language acquisition. The participants were drawn from Rwenzori, Lango, and Teso sub regions.

Denial Christian ICT office-LACCODEF demonstration to participants how use NXPower lite

Participants at the mid term review meeting shared the best practices used in their particular regions and resolved to apply ICT tools in their work after learning from RWECO/CFSU and LACCODEF experiences of the application of ICT in the implementation of activities. Ms. Connie from ELEC-Uganda appreciated the participants as they exhibited the highest cooperation since the meeting did not have a specific facilitator but all the participants contributed to the agenda.

Participants developing workplans for the Star school model

As development partners there was concern to know each other and share information concerning the activities in the Education sector. In her closing remarks, Ms. Connie called upon the partners to map out stakeholders in the Education sector who would be of importance in promoting basic education since it was not possible for the program to provide everything. All together the participants pledged to work with the Government Institutions responsible for Education.

Other useful links shared during the meeting were:http://www.budget.go.ug/index.php
http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com/

Compiled by
Jimmy B. Odyek
Lira ( 21st August, 2013)

WE MUST BE PART OF THE GLOBAL VILLAGE: AGWATA PARENTS EMBRACES ICT TOOLS IN GOVERNANCE

Parents at Agwata Primary School, Dokolo district, Lango Sub region have  resolved to apply ICT tools in running the affairs of the school after LACODEF a partner of ELEC Uganda, sensitized the parents on the use of ICT tools. The sensitisation meeting was attended by the Teachers, SMC and PTA representation, ELEC team and one partner from RWECO who who shared the experience of RWECO in the application of ICT tools in governance and social accountability.

SMC and Stakeholders after the ICT sensitization meeting at Agwata P. School, Dokolo District: 19th August, 2013

The LACODEF project officer Mr. Denail was the key facilitator at the meeting that was attended by the chairperson SMC, district women Councilors and the LC1 chairperson. The team realised, that if ICT tools were applied they could benefit more in sharing information and called on the LACODEF team to also train them in basic computer skills.

Action at Agwata Primary School, Dokolo district: ICT tools will answer the question of sharing information asserted the Chairperson SMC

Story by Jimmy Odyek
in Lira (19th August, 2013)

KABAROLE DISTRICT LEADERS VOW TO MONITOR UPE/PLE PERFORMANCE

As John Locke said, “Plants are developed by cultivation and men by education” 

Participants at the RIDEAFRICA Press Conference held at Jerusalem Guest House, Fort Portal Municipality, 24th July, 2013

 If you are a leader out there and you have not been monitoring the schools in your area of operation, it is absurd to blame the head teachers and teachers for poor performance in schools. Yeah I believe poor service delivery is as a result of leaders who have failed to their work. If you doubt my statement just imagine a parish that has one school having 4 villages and each village has 9 leaders at LC1 which makes a total of 36 individuals, LC2 has 9 leaders, the school has 11 members of the PTA and 12 members of the SMC  with the parish having two area counselors ( male and Female) thus  total of  70 individuals.   If every leader committed him or herself to visit the school at least once a term  because a term on average has 72 days without under estimating the work of the CSO including religious leaders, parish chief,  sub county authorities and the inspector of schools.  Am sure there would be no cases of abseentism of teachers, ghost teachers, and mismanagement of UPE grant, abseentism of pupils and misconduct of pupils which we are seeing today.  With this my simple reason is that every day a leader would be at school to supervise and the support the school authorities.

In a case study conducted by RIDE Africa on monitoring and supervision by leaders in 19 primary schools out of 34 primary schools in Burahya county where the RDC had visited only one school yet the Local Government Act 1998 and Education Act 2008 (section 71(b and D and section 5 (1,m and n) respectively mandates the RDC to monitor and supervise the schools. Out of 19 schools only one school was visited by the sub county chief ( Bukuku sub county chief you deserve a credit) yet sub county chiefs are the supervisors of the sub county and sign performance contracts head teachers and are the chief planners of the sub county. On a good not at least 12 schools out of 19 schools were visited by the chairperson LC3 by June 2013.  Was  there any justification for chairpersons  in 7 schools that were not visited as LC3 chairperson are majorly in power to monitor and supervise government programs per the local government act.

Important to note is our very own Members of Parliament  who also have a role to play in monitoring schools for improved PLE results as they are facilitated with mileage every month to consult and monitor government programs in their constituencies. In the case study, it was realized that the Kabarole district Woman MP  had visited 6 schools by June 2013 and Hon. Stephen Kagwera MP had visited 7 schools by June 2013. 

Schools Monitored by District Leaders

In a press conference organized by  RIDE Africa a member of RWECO the leaders were argued to take their responsibilities of monitoring school programs serious as  it has a direct impact on performance. The leaders act as role models and inspire the pupils to aim higher as well as encourage teachers fulfilling their duties. This evidence at Harugongo primary school  which was visited by the MP Burashya four times  and scored 144 first grades in 2012 P.L.E results and Kazingo primary school that was visited once got 14 first grades out of 59 candidates  in 2012. A census by all members   present during the press brief confirmed that monitoring and support supervision has a direct link on other factors like provision lunch to pupils as well as effective service delivery. The DEO’s office and CCTs were upheld for the good work in supervising schools as all the schools sampled had been visited by the DEO, District Inspector of schools, County Inspector of schools and CCTs.

Schools monitored by Sub county leaders in Burahya County

 

RIDE Africa organized a press conference on Wednesday 24^th July, 2013 at Jerusalum Guest House, Fort Portal Municipality that was attended by media house from the print and electronic media: print media- The New Vision, Monitor, Red pepper and Observor paper, Radio representative among others who include life FM, Guide FM, VOT FM, Better Fm and HITS FM. Other participants were: The Political Assistant to the MP Burahya County, Ditrict Inspector of schools, Town clerk, representatives of the Civil Society from RICNET, RWECO, KAANA Foundation and Mountains of the Moon University,  and Community monitors in Kabarole district. During the question session, the  leaders expressed concerns that it was  true monitoring and supervision of primary schools had not been given adequate attention due to limited facilitation e.g. chairperson LC IIIs get 290,000= monthly as facilitation despite their tight schedule while others did not know that is was their role to monitor and supervise schools, laxity while others said that sometimes they visit the schools and don’t sign in the visitors’ books especially when they delegate

 Let us take responsibility to monitor education because Education is a systematic process through which a child or an adult acquires knowledge, experience, skill and sound attitude. It makes an individual civilized, refined, cultured and educated. For a civilized and socialized society, education is the only means. Its goal is to make an individual perfect.  We need to give importance to education because it is a panacea for all evils and solves the various problems of life thus a developed nation. Together we can make a difference. 

Compiled by;

Ms. Sheila Kengingo & Ms. Erina Kahunde
 

RWECO/RIDE AFRICA

TRAINING ON NON CONVENTINAL METHODS HELD AT B.T.C IN KASESE

Rweco a consortium of GHFRD, IWDP, RICK-NET and KALI organized a refresher training of English teachers at Bwera primary teachers collage in Mpondwe Lubirihi town council kasese district western Uganda. 

The activity kicked off on Friday 05/07/2013 in the college's main hall and it attracted 45 teachers from the selected 15 schools. 

The chief guest was the Assistant Principal, Bwera Teachers College, Mrs. Bigando Oliver who thanked Rweco for the support it is rendering to the selected schools. In her report, she said that Rweco delivered a Laptop, a Projector, Whoofer and a Projector pull up stand to her school. She also advised teachers to utilize the materials such that they can enhance English language in their respective schools. 

Mrs. Bigando Oliver, Ass. Principal Bwera Teachers College giving the opening remarks

She said that being a good and professional teacher is when you follow the teachers guide manual in the code of conduct.

Mr. Maate Emmanuel and Maate Kaija presented how to integrate the non conventional methods or techniques and the effects of English teachers today respectively. 

Some of the messages to the teachers

 

Mr. Maate Kaija explaining a concept in Non Conventional teaching methods

Mr. Maate Emmanuel delivering to the teachers

 

Teachers learning the non conventional methods of teaching

The failure of pupils to get good marks in their final exam (Primary living examination) was attributed to teachers who do not want to adapt to change and use of new techniques like technology (internet) to research and teach.

He added that the poor communication skills with in teachers also affect their candidates performance. At the end of the facilitation, teachers promised to work hard to get new ideas from fellow teachers of schools which are doing better in the language. He advised them to first accept their weaknesses in order to create a room of learning more.

By Gilbert Masereka