Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” My name is Mr. Morish Omara, and I am an educational officer overseeing IT at Maruzi Seed Secondary School, a public secondary school established in Apac Municipality, Apac District, Northern Uganda, in 2014. Since opening with just 127 students, the school now serves over 1,000 students from nearby rural and urban communities. As an educator who has studied within Uganda’s education system, I am deeply committed to sharing how the Rural Broadband Network (RCBN), a free community internet project implemented by WOUGNET through its regional office in Apac, Kubere Information Centre and in collaboration with Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology, is transforming education in Apac Municipality.
Transforming Education: An Opportunity and a Call for Action
Many conversations about improving education focus on the challenges within our system. However, I want to highlight the positive steps taken to strengthen education and empower communities, inspired by the success of the RCBN in connecting rural schools to a global network of knowledge.
Schooling in Uganda can be challenging due to limited educational resources, outdated materials, and poor infrastructure. Maruzi Seed Secondary School was no exception. Like many schools in Uganda, we faced significant barriers to quality education, especially in accessing digital resources. However, the introduction of the RCBN—a community-driven internet network—has dramatically transformed the educational landscape here, providing unprecedented opportunities for students and teachers alike.
The Road Before Connectivity
Before the RCBN initiative, Maruzi Seed Secondary School, like many rural schools, had limited resources. The lack of internet connectivity made it difficult to access up-to-date learning materials, which are essential given the curriculum’s growing emphasis on digital literacy and research. Teachers relied on outdated textbooks, and students lacked exposure to digital tools and online learning platforms that could enrich their education.
The RCBN Intervention
Recognizing the need for digital access in rural communities, the Government of Uganda provided research and innovation grants to Makerere University to explore models of aerial internet broadband in Apac Municipality. In 2022, Maruzi Seed Secondary School was selected as a beneficiary of the RCBN project. Dr Dorothy Okello, at the Community Project Dissemination meeting, highlighted that “this project aims to bridge the gap created by private telecommunications providers who have struggled to deliver internet services in rural areas.”
The RCBN installed high-speed internet at Maruzi Seed Secondary School, transforming access to educational resources and significantly improving the school’s learning environment.
Immediate Benefits and Impacts
- Access to Online Educational Resources
The internet opened a wealth of educational platforms for both students and teachers. Students could now access resources like Google Scholar, YouTube, ChatGPT, and the Uganda National Curriculum Development Centre’s online portal, which offers updated textbooks, past exam papers, and interactive learning materials. This connectivity transformed learning, particularly for science, mathematics, and ICT subjects.
Caption: Senior Four Candidates attending the National Mathematics Seminar
Caption: Group of ICT students attending National ICT Seminar
- Empowered Teachers
With internet connectivity, teachers could access global teaching resources, collaborate with other educators, and participate in online training programs. Access to updated curriculum materials, teaching guides, and professional development courses brought new perspectives to teaching in rural settings. - Improved Research Skills
With digital resources at their fingertips, students developed research skills critical for academic success and future studies. They could explore topics more deeply, work on projects with current data, and gain a sense of curiosity and independence that builds confidence in higher education settings.
Caption: S.2 students being guided in research techniques
- Bridging the Digital Divide
The RCBN network helped bridge the digital gap between rural and urban schools, enabling Maruzi Seed Secondary School students to compete more fairly with their urban peers in terms of digital literacy, access to information, and academic performance. - Broader Community Impact
Beyond the school, the benefits of the RCBN network extended to the broader community. The local residents, parents, and guardians gained access to digital tools and information, and after-school programs provided basic computer training, enhancing community members’ digital literacy. - Increased Enrollment
Parents became more interested in their children’s education as they saw access to modern learning tools. The school experienced a 25% increase in enrollment within two years of installing the RCBN network, highlighting a growing trust in the power of digital access to improve education.
263 S.1 Students attending orientation session 2024
- Enhanced Academic Performance
With internet access, the school has seen significant improvements in academic performance. In the 2023 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results, the number of first grades rose, with balanced representation among boys and girls. This improvement was particularly evident in sciences and mathematics, where students used online simulations and tutorials to understand complex concepts.
A New Horizon for Rural Education
The RCBN network at Maruzi Seed Secondary School has demonstrated that digital connectivity can transform education in rural Uganda. The project empowers students and teachers by enabling access to modern learning tools, improving academic outcomes, and building essential ICT skills for the future. This success story underscores the role that community-driven internet networks play in bridging the digital divide, empowering students, and enhancing educational opportunities.
Author: Mr. Morish Omara, Educational Officer in Charge of ICT at Maruzi Seed Secondary School |
Editor: Apio Lillian Mercy, WOUGNET Project Officer, KIC Apac
