Refugees to acquire ICT skills

WESTERN PROVINCE KARONGI — Refugees at Kiziba Refugee Camp in the Karongi District will soon begin training on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills, an official of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has said. Sr. Irene Guid, the JRS country director, confirmed Thursday that already 14 computers are being used to train teachers at the refugee camp, with more computers expected to arrive soon. A second computer room is also under construction.“Fourteen computers are already used to train teachers in the camp schools in order to equip (teachers) with ICT skills. Other computers will be available soon after the completion of another computer room,” she said in an interview at the camp. Guid, said the programme will be jointly financed by the Microsoft Company in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). “This project will be funded by Microsoft and UNCHR in which we (JRS) are implementers,” she explained. She noted that 30 more computers will be imported next year- ahead of the second phase where school children will also get access to the training. “The second phase will have students acquiring ICT skills. This will help them take their studies in a civilised way,” she said. JRS operates in different refugee camps in the country and has taken part in promoting education among the refugees. Kiziba refugee camp has primary and secondary schools up to ordinary level (Tronco-commun) with a school enrolment of about 4,600, with most pupils, about 4,000 still in primary school. Ends