Following President Museveni’s directive to close all schools due to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) that was declared a pandemic, the National Information Technology Authority (NITA) – Uganda, has partnered with UNICEF and introduced an eLearning platform; “Kolibri” for ordinary level (O-Level) students.
Kolibri is a free-of-charge, and easy to use digital learning platform; with education content approved by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC). It is aimed at empowering students with skills required to survive in this era of information technology.
Kolibri content covers science and mathematics for only O-Level students, that’s from senior 1 to senior 4. Each topic is presented with illustrations; some of which are in video format. This will ensure that the students are occupied during this quarantine period, till schools are re-opened.
The eLearning platform can be accessed via smartphones, tablet computers, or PCs with access to the internet. In our opinion, this is a down-side, as NITA-U and UNICEF would have partnered with telecommunication firms; MTN, Airtel, and Africell to make this a free to access site. However, to access the portal freely, one can log-in to NITA’s free MYUG 284 Wi-Fi hotspots.
These hotspots are currently limited around Kampala and Entebbe. Meaning outside that, to access the portal one will need to purchase an internet bundle.
How to access the content on Kolibri:
- Open an internet browser of your choice on any of your internet enabled device.
- In the URL box, type http://e-learning.education.go.ug/ and wait for the webpage to load.
- If you don’t have an account, create one to be able to login. If you prefer NOT to create one, link on the option “Explore without account” you will still have access as one who has an account.
- There are four options, Secondary School, Youth Center, Funza, and Ministry of Education and Sports & Kyambogo University. For this purpose, select the option of Secondary School.
- You can then select what subject you wish to revise or learn.
- Select your class, and begin studying.
NITA-U urges students to work with their parents in case they need any help.
Students are free to proceed to navigate through; Youth Center and Funza since they are equally good for the learner. The content folder named, “Ministry of Education and Sports & Kyambogo University for inclusive education in Uganda”, is for special needs children in primary level.
