Sunday, November 3, 2013

British Council, Bharti Airtel launch 127 digital hubs




The British Council and Bharti Airtel have entered a pact to maximize the learning benefits of Bharti Airtel’s wider broadband connective of 5 GB per month in a three-year deal for 127 digital hubs located in schools across nine countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria.

Country Director, British Council Uganda, Peter Brown disclosed this in a press statement made available to DigitalSENSE Business News, saying “This latest partnership initiative with Bharti Airtel demonstrates our commitment to improving access to high-quality teaching and learning in Africa. The British council connects teachers and learners around the world, so they can learn from each other, accessing knowledge and ultimately become global citizens.

Bharti Airtel will provide full internet accessibility to British council Hubs, surrounding schools and communities. Digital hubs have already by been set up through partnerships with Microsoft in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Ghana and Nigeria. High speed broadband access from Airtel for these hubs guarantees teachers and students limitless new education opportunities.”

The Managing Director Airtel Uganda, Mr. V.G Somashekar said that In line with Airtel’s Corporate Social Responsibilities,(CSRs) the initiative will empower teachers and students to be more digitally enlightened and ultimately become more competitive in today’s fast changing economy.

The Head Teacher of Nakasero Primary school, Turyasingura N. Beatrice expressed her delight that their teachers had a chance to Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills, which has contributed to improving their interaction with fellow teachers in and outside the country, and opined  that with full connectivity the child will also be able to learn and share information with peers, but must be protected from content.

She confirmed that there are challenges which the opportunity threw up such as protecting the child from content that isn’t appropriate and urged the partners to ensure that it is dealt with promptly.
DigitalSENSE Business News  recorded from the statement that British Council operates a number of similar educational programs including connection classrooms, International inspiration and Badiliko to support schools across Africa, with over 400 schools in Uganda.


Remmy Nweke/Anthony Nwakaegho


... Making SENSE of digital revolution!

No comments: