The Ministry of Education and Sports has prohibited the use of handheld mobile devices such as phones and tablets by learners on school premises until formal policy guidelines are established.

This was announced by Dr. Dennis Mugimba, the ministry’s spokesperson, following the public’s concerns on the introduction of mobile digital devices in basic and secondary level schools.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Monday, September 9, 2024, Mugimba emphasized that the ministry is working on policy standards to guide these devices in school.

“The Ministry is working on policy standards to regulate digital tools in schools, outlining roles for schools, teachers, learners, parents, internet service providers, and device providers,” Mugimba noted.

He, however, noted that school desktops and laptops in computer labs remain the preferred choice of digital tools for students to avoid financial burden on parents.

The ministry also highlighted the importance of digital information security and online safety, ensuring that educational institutions maintain a secure online environment for learners. Dr. Mugimba reiterated that it is the responsibility of school accounting officers to prevent exposure to inappropriate content, adhering to the Computer Misuse Act of 2011.

Mugimba further emphasized the importance of digital information security and online safety in schools, calling upon school accounting officers to prevent learners from exposure to inappropriate content, such as pornography, gambling, or criminal websites, as outlined in the Computer Misuse Act, 2011.

Patrick Muyinda, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of ICT at the Ministry of Education, said that before they introduce the digital agenda strategy, information online security for learners is paramount, and there is software that is used to make sure there is real-time filtering of content to be used in schools.

“As the responsible ministry, the principle of digital information security and online learner safety is top priority in the delivery of digital education interventions for all institutions of learning,” Muyinda said.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, launched the Ministry’s Digital Agenda Strategy on August 22, 2024. This strategy aims to provide a phased approach to the integration of digital tools, ensuring that schools can effectively manage the use of these devices.

Much as the ministry has banned use of mobile phones in schools and regulated the content the students and pupils should access, it is also important for parents to do the same at home when it comes to mobile phone usage by children since most of them get access to the internet using their parents, siblings, or guardians’ gadgets.