The Ministry of Education and Sports has provided a statement regarding the use of mobile digital devices in basic and secondary schools.
The statement follows the launch of the Ministry’s Digital Agenda Strategy on August 22, 2024.
The Ministry has clarified that handheld mobile devices such as phones and tablets are not permitted for use by students on school premises until official policy guidelines are established.
Instead, school desktops and laptops within computer laboratory facilities will remain the preferred choice for digital learning.
Emphasising the importance of digital information security and online safety, the Ministry has highlighted that school administrators are responsible for ensuring that internet access does not expose students to harmful content, aligning with Ugandan laws such as the Computer Misuse Act, 2011.
The Digital Agenda Strategy aims to enhance the use of electronic tools and technologies in delivering quality education and sports effectively.
The Ministry is currently developing policy standards and guidelines to regulate the use of digital tools and technologies in schools.
This initiative is seen as a move towards embracing technology in education while ensuring a safe and gradual approach.
Parents and educators have welcomed this clarification, expressing concerns about potential risks associated with the use of mobile devices in schools.
The Ministry’s stance is expected to guide the implementation of digital learning initiatives in Ugandan schools, pending the finalisation of policy guidelines.
Read the full statement here:
