DEMYSTIFYING COMPUTER SKILLS

I humbly submit an application for your kind consideration.  The project we have at hand is DEMYSTIFYING COMPUTER SKILLS for an estimated 400 pupils and students from schools in Kajjansi Hinterland which is 8 miles Entebbe Highway ; in Uganda .  In addition to pupils/students who will be timetabled for two hours; that is 2 hours each school, hence 4 hours a day on the working days (Monday to Friday); that is starting at 8.00am to 10.00am then 2.00pm to 4.00pm; making it 2 school beneficiaries a day during the school term time, there shall be the local public who shall benefit from 10.30am to 1.30pm and from 4.30pm to 9.30pm at low rates.

The idea is to cheaply get computer skills to pupils in primary six and students in senior three so that they are helped to learn these skills cheaply at shs 5,000 a term per beneficiary so that on completion of their courses; that is Primary Leaving Examinations and Uganda Certificate of Education, they have skills which are employable or can help them generate own employment as well as be able to access information from the Internet resources for useful undertakings which may help their further studies or any undertakings they may take on with time.  As for other public learners; they will access cheaper training to better enhance their opportunities in life given the information era we are in.

Head-teachers have shown that they would love the innovation if it gets to implementation stage.  We anticipate having all the participating schools to fit in the timetable where we shall have two sessions a day; that is from 8 to 10am and 2 to 4pm in afternoons; making a total of 10 schools participating in the programme.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully

Willy Kituuka

(Chairman GOGOP)

 DEMYSTIFYING COMPUTER SKILLS

From: Good Governance Practice (GOGOP)

           Kajjansi Trading Centre – 8 miles Entebbe Highway

                P. O. Box 2678, Kampala.

Proposal Contact Person: Willy Kituuka

                                       Chairman GOGOP

Proposal Amount: Pound 7,339

Project Location: Kajjansi Trading Centre (8miles Entebbe Highway)

Project Duration: 12 months

Good Governance Practice (GOGOP) is registered by Wakiso District.  We have realized that we can play a role in computer literacy promotion by teaching skills to pupils/students and the civil society at Kajjansi trading centre 8 miles Entebbe Highway.  With ICT skills, the trained people will access more information and that way; they will be better informed citizens capable of not only getting employment in areas where ICT skills are needed, but also generating own employment and also using the knowledge to acquire more useful information from the Internet resources.

                          

A      How our proposal will answer the questions below:

1.     Foster community self-reliance;

Students/pupils who are targeted as first group of beneficiaries shall make a contribution of shs 5,000/- per term to get the training once a week for two hours through each term. As for the other community beneficiaries, they will pay a relatively low rate given the rates for commercial training in basic computer skills; and it will be possible to have big classes with chances of offering training facility to the working class after 5.00pm.  The trained will be able to benefit from use of ICT skills with which skills, they will be able to get employment; generate own employment and also be able to use the Internet to enhance knowledge and skills.

2.     Have community participation and contributions -- volunteer time and labor, donated land, equipment and/or materials;

The students/pupils are to pay shs 5,000 each for the service out of which running costs including paying the teachers; rents and electricity bills shall be met.  Also the contribution of the other users though greatly subsidized will go a long way in helping sustainability.

3.     Have a significant impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible;

The training of students shall benefit an average of 40 students/pupils per session and in all 10 sessions are planned; that is one session per school involved giving a minimal of 400 beneficiaries a year on the part of students/pupils.  To the students/pupils numbers; there shall be other community members who could be any number.

4.     Help improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level;

When many people become computer literate; there are chances of enhancing employment, increased communication via the Internet; and with the knowledge gained chances of boosting welfare and own employment creation cannot be ruled out.

5.     Be viable and sustainable in terms of finance, personnel support, and necessary expertise and services;

The project will be viable as services are to be paid for by beneficiaries.  The only difference is that the unit cost will be lower compared to market rates and this will finance the operating costs.

6.     Fall within the ability of the local community to implement; and

The trainers who have the skill are within the community and shall be available to train on a full – time basis throughout the year.  And, they have the ability to repair the computers when need arises.

7.     Be completed in one year or less.

The project will be completed in one year and shall be self sustaining thereafter.

B      The Problem/issue we are addressing

Lack of basic computer skills among school children/students and majority of the members of civil society in Kajjansi trading centre hinterland; which are essential for communication; employable skills and harnessing information.  Many pupils/students drop out of school after primary seven or senior four and six without the slightest idea in computer skills.  They are therefore not fortunate to get ICT skills at that level.  Yet, also many from the civil society need to access innovative ideas from the Internet as well as use the skill to get employment or generate own work using the skill they will have acquired.

C      What the idea is and how it is to address the issues described.

The project is to get primary six pupils from some primary schools and senior three from secondary schools within Kajjansi trading centre hinterland; a total of 10 schools each to benefit from 2 hours weekly training in computer skills.  The schools shall have a timetable agreed on for the children to attend the computer skills lessons.  Given the number of children, priority shall be given to candidate classes; that is primary six, Senior 3.  The facility shall be equally accessible by the general public who are interested in learning the skills in computing.  The pupils/students shall have their schedules from 8.00 – 10.00am and 2.00 – 4.00pm; Monday to Friday.  The public shall utilize 10.30am – 1.30pm and after 4.30pm to 9.30pm, yet the weekends shall be open to all the interested parties.

The pupils/students and other beneficiaries will have their computing skills enhanced, and some may have the opportunity to have work opportunities enhanced either personal employment or being taken on for paid work.  The skills will also enhance their communication ability via the Internet from which source they may be able to access innovations that may help them in day to day life.   

D      How the idea is to be implemented and the steps to realize the objectives

There has already been a reach – out to some head teachers of the targeted schools in the area to discuss the innovation with them, and it is a fact that the idea was welcome if it can be implemented.  So, when the equipment to get the project off ground is put in place, an appointment shall be made to discuss the matter seriously with the head teachers of the targeted schools.  The whole package shall be put on the table where pupils/students shall be required to make a contribution of shs 5,000/- each per term and may be payable in possible installments even out of the pupils’/students’ labour back at home.  The school shall have option to choose appropriate time and day though this may be discussed further as collisions are expected.  The school administration shall be requested to give the organization chance to discuss the matter over with the pupils/students so that they get the idea clearly and how it is to benefit them and how at so small a cost they will have opportunity to earn a number of packages.

E      Potential Schools that shall participate:

No	Primary Schools	Secondary Schools
1	Kawotto Saviours	Kitende
2	Kitende	Salvation College
3	St. Gyaviira	New High Tech
4	Muwana	St. Paul
5	All Saints	Bishop Sisto Mazzoldi