Centenary Bank has donated 30 computers to four secondary schools and one primary school, in need of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) facilities, to promote computer literacy among students in Uganda.
The beneficiary schools include; YesuNatamba Day & Boarding Primary School Ishaka, Global High School Ntungamo, Sacred Heart- NajjaMukono Branch, Makiro Girls Secondary School Kanungu, and St. Kizito Sec. School- Kabowa. This is part of Centenary Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme that aims at helping the less privileged in society.
Addressing journalists atthe handover ceremony at Mapeera House today, Allen Ayebare the Chief Manager Corporate and Communication Affairs Centenary Bank said,the bank donated the computers to increase computer literacy and boost the usage of Information Communications Technology in the country.
“At our bank, we are aware that Ugandan schools especially those in rural areas have lagged behind in the field of computer literacy. Teachers have the material to teach but there is no equipment to use. In this era, where everything is going digital, pupils and students need to be empowered with computer skills through hands-on training. This can only be done if the necessary tools of training like these are in place,” she said.
Ayebare explained that the bank received requests from the above schools seeking assistance in terms of computers. “The management of the bank found it paramount to put your requests into consideration because you are valued partners and stakeholders of Centenary Bank,” she told the head teachers of the beneficiary schools who received the computers.
Many schools especially in rural areas have inadequate computer equipment yet government made computer studies at A-Level compulsory but has not provided computers to all secondary schools. This has created a gap in computer studies. “The materials to teach are there but the facilities/ equipment to enable the students to learn is insufficient,” Ayebare said.
It is also in the best interest of the bank to prepare the students for future job opportunities in the digital world.
The heads of the five schools thanked Centenary Bank for responding to their urgent needs. “On behalf of all the teachers and students who have received computers today, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the bank managers for responding to our request,” said Dr. Mpoza John Baptist, Head master of St. Kizito Secondary School Kabowa.
According to the Minister of ICT Eng. John Nasasira, Uganda expects to create employment opportunities for three million people in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector by 2020. The government through the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is also promoting the use and adoption of ICTs in Uganda through the Rural Communications development Fund (RCDF) that was started in 2003. The programme champions the teaching of Computer Studies and basic ICT as a subject in at least 50% of government secondary.
Apart from supporting secondary schools with ICT facilities, Centenary Bank engages in various CSR activities aimed at giving back to the community in different ways. The bank has an ongoing financial literacy programme dubbed “CenteBusinessLife” that offers free financial training to budding entrepreneurs and has donated various scholastic materials to different schools across the country on several occasions.
The bank is also supporting the fight against cancer through activities like the recent Cancer Run that was geared at raising shs300 million for completion of the Cancer Ward at Nsambya Hospital.