Technology education in schools in DRC

Kumwami John, born in Bunagana, Eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo from peasant parents.He joined school and got his diplome d'Etat in Biology- Chemistry in 2005.He volunteered as student teacher in mathematics, chemistry and biology at Kabingo. In October, 2007 he fled in Uganda where he started working with the community in the refugee camp as the village chairman. In 2008, he joined CIYOTA organization and served as Head of agriculture department and then promoted as project manager.He was awarded a scholarship for doing a diploma in nursing in 2010.After the studies he came to give back and served as a clinical officer.His responsibility was giving medication to pupils and staff, insure improved hygiene around school and in the hostel. In 2017 he received a scholarship from MasterCard foundation at ALA and now is a student at Africa University in Zimbabwe.Leader and founder at VOLCANO TECH HUB. 

The project seeks to provide,develop and build the technology education methodology and a remarkably high level of adapted computer related skills and knowledge through series of modules leading to a certification in fields considered as fundamental to all young people  and teachers in North-Kivu where 85% of schools suffers technology infrastructures, computer classes are taught with out computers, no trained teachers for handling computer courses, lack of school laboratories and inadequate libraries has become the main challenges in education which enhance the poor learning and teaching. Students always fail at a high rate (80%) due to lack of research and all the above mentioned issues. To solve a computer lab  is needed where young generating can come and have difference activities related with school, to add on that young people and teachers at large should be trained in basic computer course in order practically be able to deliver to learners. 

Due different challenge faced by the country, technology infrastructure has remain low and a complex problem. More than 85% schools lack fundamental labs such as chemistry,biology, electronics and computer labs. Parents have more kids and they have low income thus they can’t pay much in school fees and schools can’t afford labs in return. More than 90 percent of schools still keep paper records, this is time consuming, unsecured and unappropriated in this digital era.Nearly all schools lack laboratories, suggesting that simulation software could be of tremendous use.

                   Due to lack of electricity in the area and poor infrastructure, most of the students still remain backwards in terms of technology and skills for creativity. Most of our primary teachers are old and they still apply the traditional methodology in class which does not favor the school cadres to measures with the neighbor's country students. An  reform is to be done in the education system in the province and in the whole country at large. We are pretty convinced that if the application of technology is practically implemented more things are going to change. This venture will contribute to access to quality education, functional and lifelong learning opportunities in the country. 

   Technology education is a project that identify the importance of technology and the economic growth it brings in community especially in young people . It uses computer hardware and software, educational theory and practices to facilitate learning and teaching. It seeks to work in education systems; we have realized that this field is remaining behind in DRC is it much affect the lives of the community especially young ones. Introducing technology in education is not easy but we believe that it will happen. Establishing an educational center (Computer lab) since schools can't at all afford to have one would be the best way to do it. secondly,teachers and young people have to go through different practical training in computer related skills.The last but not least, after training teacher and young people , schools need some infrastructure tools such as computers, lap tops, tablets and  internet tools and connections in order to enhance quality learning and teaching. This support should come from use and with all these, we will have people ready to uplift the country's economy, to compete for different opportunities and who are prone for the transformation. 

The project established to serve Teachers and students from secondary schools going upward. Due to poor learning students are not ready to compete for job market after study which affect the country'economy and increase unemployment rate.As volcano Tech hub we plan to provide training to teachers and young people already unemployed, we first called for teachers and local leaders workshop in order to understand the needs and the results showed that technology education is a crucial need in schools and in young people. i am mobilizing youth doing different field of interest such us computer science,soft ware engineering, business management,accountant so that together we can set plan and strategies to address the needs. Volcano has started addressing this, setting Training in different programs. we have basic computer course designed for teachers and young people, we have career guidance for students and school clubs, and we have started work on online plate form to help schools in this COVID-19 endemic time and after. Our project we also extend in the field like business and health in future as we grow. All these sector need technology in order to improve operations and to mitigate corruption has not yet embrace these two sectors.

Investing in young people by giving them the skills they need for the future is one of the smartest strategies for accelerating progress in the region. some research(UNESCO) ague that this education led-growth is the way of the future,particularly when analyzing  the changes technology will likely reap on jobs, including transforming many low skilled jobs into ones that will require more complex,non-routine cognitive and interpersonal skills. I believe the true opportunity ,both for technology to transform lives and societies through better education, and build education technology initiatives of great value may lie in our countries."Jamie martin, the founder of injini".

The story is very long but let share it briefly; The idea as i always would visit schools for any documents in need,and it could not be easy for me and the school to find what i want as a former students due to lack of information keeping,poor technique of filing, and traditional systems of records management. This pushed me to have an idea in 2018 of starting a project that can train education staff how to handle information using technology.i started looking and comparing challenges that young people in schools are facing on the teaching context and also when you can for the results after for instance two year period your result can not be found because it was only kept on paper. I come to identify how poor the system is and how poor the quality of learning is too.Despite other problem registered in this system such as corruption,violence of girl child and boy in exchange of marks. The lack of enough materials for teaching and outdated pedagogical methodologies. These are the fact that pushed me to start VOLCANO TECH HUB so that is brings young people together and establish solution to address the problem of education countrywide.

  A document that our grandparents used in schools such as notes, histories remain the same, no updated document, and no new curriculum in schools. Most schools have no libraries, no computer labs, and no website. School report are manually written and transport for taking them at the respectively office instead of using emails, what’s up, google forms and other plat form that are quicker than paying transport.The fact that students and teachers are not exposed to the world of technology has continued to hinder the country progress and change. These issues are to be addressed by application of technology in schools because education is a key to everything. Students miss different opportunity due to ignorance in technology, lack of career guidance and no stable internet connection to promote student interested in research and project. The few student with interest cross the border of Congo to neighbor countries for their research on internet and other technological service such as certificate designing, employee and schools identities, invitation cards, etc. We want reform in education system, technology education should be a way towards this process.Our young brothers and sisters should not experience the same school live as us , a difference should occur.

As it is said, experience is the best teacher. Through my personal experience as a Congolese i took the same education where by from my high school i never saw a computer but used to here it by name. Drawing from this i understand what challenges the fellows youth in school are currently meeting. Being a refugees in Uganda has developed my background by joining and working with different organization. Lessons learnt in this journey and experiences earned place me at a position to deliver this project to the community. I has trained in strategic planning, entrepreneurship, project management and leadership at school and through different workshop and i have been leading some young people initiatives in the community. Volcano Tech Hub to stand from zero finance was not easy ,but we believe that even the bible says that we will eat after sweating, we first mobilized for members ,we exposed the idea we have for helping the young generation and communities. Those who welcomed the idea also accepted to sacrifice their time for the organization. we are currently working with youth who understand the country challenges, and what it require to address the problem. The youths have set some strategies that are helpful to address the problem such as having a community computer lab,  Offering some school infrastructure and fixing the internet tool and connections for some school. with the team we are strategizying to find resources so that the project can be officially launched as responding to needs. 

  With this i won't go far even, By forming Volcano Tech Hub, One of My university colleague called Thierry Initiated the idea and we started the journey together. As we were plan for mobilization the first idea that can was to look for advise from different leaders such as  board f directors,executive directors from different organizations and government leaders.The fact is that we encountered many challenges where feedback were that, the idea of introducing Technology is good and we all like it but brothers we are very sorry with you; this will not work here , you don't have funds, schools failed to do it yet government can fund them,leave it ,its a huge project for you guys. with the trust ,passion we have for the community and strong motivation, this could not discourage us,we would explain to them that we should not complain about government but doing action that can show or make the government to understand the gap that exist between what we are doing and the role it was to pray. Furthermore, our message to those who were not convinced that we can succeed was we can have a computer lab where youth can be trained.  

In the past thee years , i was a staff at CIYOTA organization not only a staff by also a member. I was a manager of agriculture project where we use to produce food for the school orphans and to donate to new refugees, the organization had more that 200 goats with four goat keepers. The planning for farming, planting and harvest were done by me which involved to get workers and pay them then after i would compile a report for the organization. It is through that work that i got a scholarship to go to the University as a rewards. At the university we have organized some initiative for project competition among theme there is DUDU Tech, which seeks to deal with renewable energy through the use of human waste, we presented the project to Hult prize and our proposal was the second in more than twenty at our school.As team leader i was supposed to be the campus director for this year but i could not make due to my attachment program. Youth initiatives and empowerment is our passion, we wants to have youth who understand their problems and set plans for addressing them.

 we are two founders and both members of CIYOTA ,an organization that promote refugee education.The current relationship is that we consider this organization as our mother because of its 15 years of operations,we can learn more from the leaders.We approached them and agreed to be the advisor, mentors as we are growing .currently VOLCANO is working on CIYOTA's online platform because students haven't been learning due to the Pandemic. As parents the leaders also we will help us in networking  and connection , they will continue to teach us the leader . but volcano do not depend on this organization.

1. The uniqueness of the project is that is will offer valuable skills and knowledge to young people and teachers that they need in order to reform the system of education which has been hindering the progress in school and young people.
2. The project will strengthen the technology education programs in different system where it is required  by participation in solving the technological gap between a student and a teacher.
3. Identifying the problem existing in different system and propose possible solution that respond to them that is to say health needs records management systems since none of our hospital has the services in place the project should make it as one of the focus point, the same applies in business and some government agency.
4. Promoting research and staff development especially in education since it is the only field that can prepare young generation to be competitive for job market opportunities and research.
5. Contributing the economy growth and development by restructuring system and adhere to modern collaborative learning and teaching platform as facilitator not as a teacher.
6. Improving the quality of learning and teaching boosting the rate of performance from 30% to 80% through encouraging research and updated note, frequent homework and class exposition in the most important subject.

Schools in the country conduct classes using the traditional methodology and outdated manuals for notes, no proper interactions between students and teachers, Some classes that involve practical such as chemistry , biology, physics, and Information technology is being offered with out materials for practicals. Schools needs reformed  methodology and curricula design that response to quality learning. The organization plan is to continue providing ongoing mentor-ship, ways to access resources and collaborative community during the training and better growth stages.This can be reached through public speaking and presentation, workshop and seminars , resource related to technology skills.

Young people and teachers will receive competency in various aspects of conducting different program and managing  some community challenges, through this the organization will be able to measure it impact and development, its operationally self-sufficient and bottom line activities engagement.The awareness of technology education can be seen through the role and impact it will have created in the public as result will be observe from how the public will able to mitigate the technological problems among them.

Student demonstrate the ability to access the quality learn by improving the performance and showing  their potential by challenging the teachers in schools.This act force teachers to put more effort in research and promote quality teaching as a result new methodology are introduced in the system and staff development is enhanced.

At the end young people and teachers will be able to  mentor and train others, creating initiatives that respond to small and big problem in the community leading the community to embrace change and  build on the opportunity that are around .

Currently The project is learning on line and it has so far served more than 100 young people, This is through web development, online training and Basic computer courses where some young people are continuing to learn.

Next year our plan is to reach out 13 schools in one of the rural areas in DRC when these schools needs basic computer training and each of them has more than 300 young people including the staff. beside this training will also continue for the people who are willing in the community and our expectation is to register 50 community members especially young ladies and women in order to empower their work with technology.

In the next five year Our projection is to have expended to 10 provinces in the country , and have over 200 young people employs by the organization where it estimate to serve more than 10000 people in both schools and community. This will be done by creation of branches in each and every province where by the main office will be leading  and organizing activities for them.

Volcano Tech Hub in the next five year is counting to have a center that can accommodate more that 200 learners in different technological skills. The organization will have grown and has impacted the community. It will be having more than ten branches in the country doing the same work . It will be having more employees and more initiatives that are helping school in learning. we plan to have started working with hospital on the issue of the records management which is also a problem in the country.

The current barriers are:

1. unreliable electricity: electricity is a big challenge in the country for so many days and it has affected many operations across the country. we are fixing this challenges by using generators  which may be replaced by strong and reliable solar energy in the near future.
2. Insufficient funds: The project requires big amount of money for it to smoothly operate . Currently we may not have enough for it to operate at the community satisfaction but some services will be covered as the organization grows we can improve our weak areas. This will be solved by the sale of our products and also by solicitation funds for from other organization.
3. School infrastructures like computers, Internet tools , and libraries , we plan to resolve this by having a computer lab, that will handle school issues  since the schools can afford to have one. The computer lab will have training sector and internet cafe sector. In future the organization plan to have a international technology academy which will welcome students from any country with technology career.

The lack of funds is the major on and to address this , the strategies for fundraising is established; we are making different connect wit other organization offering the same project. Community campaign such as  school debate competition where they have to register with some fee.  Membership contribution is also other ways to get money.  We can address this by making sure that all our income generation activities are working and are benefiting the organization.

If we get money, we will first build the computer lab facilities which will also in return operate and bring in income. the organization also plan to offer some  computers and tablets to schools depending on the needs and resources availability.

Money can solve almost everything , we can tackle the problem of electricity if there is money. The organization can outsource electrician and engineers  to work on the electric part, but before this is done we need to have generators and solar for us to run the project.

We have start our partnership with CIYOTA and we are still connecting with others for Partnership. The partnership will be elaborated on how we pretend to work together. This  organization will be the advisor and mentor for Volcano tech and In return Volcano tech will be working on the technology education platform for the Ciyota. Volcano will create user addresses for teachers, students and for the scholarship manager. we will also provided various training on how to use the online platform. we will also maintain this system as administrator for time being.

CIYOTA will connect and network for Volcano, supporting the organization wherever the support for the growth of the organization.The discussion are still going on between the two parties.