British Council, Bharti Airtel launch digital learning hubs in Africa

More than half a million teachers and learners
in nine countries in Sub-Africa, including Nigeria
are set to have more access to digital
educational resources in their schools.
British council and Bharti Airtel have partnered
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
continent.
According to Peter Brown, country director,
British council Uganda, the latest partnership
initiative with Bharti Airtel demonstrates the
council’s 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. It’s not
always possible to make these connections
face-to-face and moreover web-based
connection allow for greater numbers of
beneficiary and this is now a reality thanks to
the partnership with Bharti Airtel and Micros, “
Brown stated.
14 fully equipped and connected computer
hubs located in 10 districts will benefit tens of
thousands of students, teachers and their wider
community.
The partnership with 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.
Airtel Uganda Managing Director, Mr. V.G
Somashekar, believes this initiative will
empower students to be more digitally
enlightened and ultimately become more
competitive in today’s fast changing economy.
“ In line with Airtel’s Corporate Social
Responsibilities, we are very excited to be a
part of this initiative and we hope through our
partnership with the British Council, that this
initiative will be able to connect thousands of
students and teachers and will also empower
the local community with IT skills that will
enable them to be more digitally enlightened
and ultimately become more competitive in
today’s fast changing economy, “ Somashekar
said.
Turyasingura N. Beatrice, Head Teacher
Nakasero Primary school, said “many of our
teachers have had a chance to access ICT
skills and this has contributed to improving
their interaction with fellow teachers in and
outside the country.”
“With full connectivity we hope that the child
will also be able to learn and share information
with peers. We are aware of the challenges
such as an opportunity provides in terms of
protecting the child from content that isn’t
appropriate and will work with partners to
ensure this is deal with.”
British Council operates a number of similar
educational programs including connection
classrooms, International inspiration and
Badiliko to support schools across Africa. Over
400 schools in Uganda are currently benefiting
from these British council programs.