Global Courant 2023-04-29 13:46:16
Airtel Africa, a telecommunications company with operations in 14 African markets, and UNICEF have reaffirmed their joint commitment to accelerate access to quality education for millions of children in Uganda and across Africa through digital learning.
The pledge was made during the courtesy visit of Airtel Africa CEO Segun Ogusanya to Kitende Secondary School in Entebbe, Uganda.
Airtel Africa and UNICEF launched the Digital Learning Partnership in October 2021 to accelerate the rollout of digital learning for children by connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms in Uganda and other Airtel operational countries, to ensure that every child reach their full potential.
The partnership was launched in Uganda at St. Mary’s Assumpta Girls High School in Adjumani District, which was connected to Kitende Senior Secondary School via the internet, allowing students from the two schools to participate in a shared online biology lesson in the classroom.
Segun Ogusanya, CEO of Airtel Africa, addressed the guests of Kitende SSS: “Airtel Africa is aware of the great value that education contributes to our nations across the continent, which is why we are very conscious in promoting it and empowering our people.
“We have been doing this since we set foot on this continent through several initiatives designed to give every child in Africa equal opportunity to access quality education, regardless of the circumstances.”
“Airtel Africa will continue to support the shared efforts of the Government of Uganda by identifying and collaborating with strategic partners such as UNICEF to transform the way our children learn and educational outcomes for the country. We commit to doing this in Uganda and in 13 other countries where Airtel Africa operates,” promised Ogusanya.
Airtel Uganda, in partnership with UNICEF and the government, will connect 100 schools in the first 2 years, aiming to have a positive impact on 54,750 students and teachers in primary and secondary schools across the country, but with an emphasis on rural schools in the West Nile and Karamoja regions.
Ogusanya praised Airtel Uganda for its investments and partnerships to accelerate internet connectivity in Uganda.
To date, Airtel Uganda has deployed more than 2,500 masts that are 100% 4G across the country to facilitate communication, payments and money transfer while transforming the livelihoods of millions of Ugandans through financial and digital inclusion.
The 4th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), one of 17 SDGs set by the United Nations, calls for inclusive and equitable quality education to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all children by creating ready access to education and other learning opportunities.
“Through the Kolibri digital learning platform, the partnership will reach 30,000 learners and 100,000 with USSD/SMS-based content optimized for mobile.
Kolibri is currently available in more than 100 secondary schools with computer labs and 15 youth-friendly ICT centers in refugee camps.
An estimated 16,000 students and 350 secondary school teachers have had contact with Kolibri. More than 1,080 young people and 200 trained volunteers are involved in the extracurricular implementation of Kolibri.
Over 7,500 registered users to date with over 200,000 content interactions,” said Munir Safieldin (PhD) of UNICEF Representative in Uganda.
The Minister of State for Primary Education, Dr. Moriku Kaducu, recognized the positive contribution of Airtel Uganda and UNICEF, which will run for 5 years, and aims to transform the way students interact with teachers and learning content. She pledged to the government to support the partnership in the form of a favorable policy framework and commitment.
In addition to digital learning, Airtel has supported a number of social initiatives in health, agriculture and education through Airtel Cares, its umbrella corporate social responsibility program.
Under the education pillar, the company has supported the top performing primary school students under the Airtel Adopt a School program with starter packs to reward and motivate them for their outstanding performance under the education pillar.
In addition, the brand has aided access to digital services in the health and agriculture sectors through enhanced connectivity powered by its 4G network, efforts aimed at improving the livelihoods of people in the communities in which it operates.
