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In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, how can Ugandan educators be empowered to harness the power of technology? This critical question was at the heart of the dynamic panel discussion hosted by the American Center Kampala on July 24, 2025. The event brought together over 40 educators, technologists, and innovators to explore how technology is reshaping education in Uganda.

The session offered a deep dive into how technology is actively transforming teaching methodologies, tackling critical questions about integrating technology into classrooms, addressing common fears, and fostering innovation. The goal: to prepare students for a tech-driven world and drive economic growth through educational advancements in Uganda.

The event provided a robust platform for a distinguished panel of experts to debate pressing questions about the future of learning:

• Ssozi Arthur Roykin, Co-founder of STEMCity Labs
• Peter Okware, representing Teacher in Need
• Monica Arinaitwe, from the Africa School of Science and Innovation

Our Co-founder of STEMCity Labs, aimed to unearth the realities of technology integration in Ugandan schools, identify prevailing challenges, and pinpoint actionable solutions during my time on the panel.

Navigating the Digital Classroom: Key Questions Explored

The discussion delved into a range of pertinent questions that shaped the afternoon's rich dialogue:

• A Day in the STEM Classroom: What does it truly look like when students engage hands-on with STEM resources, and how does this spark their innate curiosity for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics?
• From Fear to "Tech Superheroes": Addressing the common apprehension among teachers that technology might displace them, panelists discussed how organizations are building confidence and skills, helping educators seamlessly integrate digital tools without feeling overwhelmed, thereby transforming fear into excitement.
• Essential Teacher Support: What comprehensive support systems are necessary for teachers to fully embrace and utilize technology effectively in their daily teaching?
• Uganda's Readiness for Tech Education: Is Uganda's school system, particularly in rural areas, truly prepared for a tech-driven educational future? If not, what specific opportunities exist to empower rural educators with the requisite skills?
• Strategic Tech Integration: How do educators and institutions judiciously select which technologies are most valuable for classroom integration and professional development?
• Training the Next Generation of Tech Educators: Are the panelists, or their respective organizations, positioned to train technology teachers in schools to facilitate crucial skills like coding and robotics?

Key Takeaways: Administrators' Role and Conquering Fear

Several critical themes resonated strongly throughout the discussion for the over 40 teachers, educationalists, and technologists in attendance. A significant highlight was the indispensable role of school administrators in championing change and embracing technology. The concept of establishing innovation hubs or STEM hubs within schools, and a broader embrace of STEM education, emerged as vital catalysts for progress.

Conversely, the pervasive fear of technology among some educators was openly acknowledged as a substantial barrier. Panelists emphasized the need for targeted support and initiatives to overcome this apprehension, turning it into enthusiasm.

This insightful session at the American Center Kampala isn't just a standalone event; it marks the beginning of a series of engaging discussions. The initiative aims to continuously equip Ugandan teachers and educationalists with the necessary skills and confidence to navigate and thrive in an increasingly tech-driven educational landscape.

The Challenge: Education Stuck in the Past

We keep telling young people to prepare for the future – but how can they, when our education systems are still stuck in the past? Teachers are often disconnected from today's labour market, let alone tomorrow's. The most in-demand jobs of 2030 haven't even been invented yet. And yet, students are still measured by tests like European history. In a world shaped by rapid technological change and generative AI, we're preparing students to compete in a system designed for another century – when what they really need is to learn how to adapt, question and create.

Most of our secondary education system is still built to optimize for standardized metrics and university entrance exams. These metrics often reward memorization, individual performance and technical accuracy – skills that are increasingly being automated by AI. Meanwhile, the skills students actually need are shifting rapidly.

Lead – Don't Fear – The Next Wave of Change

These outdated systems don't just fail students – they also fail the people trying to teach them. While students increasingly explore AI tools and digital platforms on their own, educators are expected to prepare students for a future they themselves haven't been trained for. It's time to rethink teacher development – not as extra work, but as a strategic investment.

If we expect teachers to prepare students for the future of work, we need to give them the space, time and tools to keep learning, too. That means moving beyond occasional workshops or added responsibilities. We need structured, protected time built into the academic calendar for teachers to receive training from experts, follow tailored learning paths and stay connected to real-world shifts. If we want agile learners, we need agile teachers – and systems that believe in their growth just as much as their students'.

The AI Tsunami is Here

We can't ban our way out of disruption – we have to teach students how to surf. That means putting critical thinking, creativity and ethical reasoning at the centre of learning. If students can't tell a deepfake from real news, or if they don't know how to assess the biases of the tools they're using, we haven't prepared them for the real world. Surfing the wave of AI means learning how to navigate uncertainty with curiosity and responsibility, not fear.

Self-Awareness for Adaptable Career Paths

One of the hardest parts of being a teenager is not knowing who you are yet. And still, we expect students to make huge life decisions – what to study, where to work, how to succeed – without that foundation. What if schools focused not just on "top of the class", but on discovering your path?

Learning how to transfer skills – from art to science, from music to math – is one of the most valuable competencies in today's world. And yet, we almost never teach it.

Stop Racing, Start Surfing

The goal isn't to finish first. It's to stay grounded, adaptable and curious in a world that's constantly changing. And more importantly, it's to learn how to get back up – and back to the table – when a wave you didn't see coming knocks you down.

Let's stop training students for speed and start teaching them how to ride the waves. We need to stop rushing them toward traditional notions of success and start walking alongside them as they discover who they are and how they learn. Education isn't a race to the top; it's a journey of learning how to move through the world with purpose, resilience and agency.

In a time of AI disruption, geopolitical instability and economic transformation, young people don't just need answers. They need tools to ask better questions. Let's give them those tools. Let's teach them to surf.

Rural communities across Uganda face significant barriers to accessing digital education and technology resources. Our comprehensive digital literacy programs are working to bridge this gap, creating sustainable pathways for community development and individual empowerment.

The Challenge

Limited internet connectivity, lack of devices, and insufficient digital skills training create a significant divide between urban and rural educational opportunities. This gap perpetuates inequality and limits economic opportunities for rural communities.

Our Approach

Through strategic partnerships with local schools and community centers, we're implementing comprehensive digital literacy programs that go beyond basic computer skills to include critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship training.