Building a sustainable EduTech culture in schools requires more than internal effort—it demands collaboration. While many schools have passionate teachers and learners eager to adopt technology, they often face significant limitations in resources, training, and infrastructure. That’s where external partnerships come in.
In this article, we explore why collaboration is critical to EduTech success and how schools can identify, engage, and sustain partnerships that empower digital transformation.
Why External Partnerships Matter
Schools don’t operate in a vacuum. The challenges they face limited funding, insufficient ICT infrastructure, lack of training—can’t always be solved internally. Collaborating with external partners can provide:
✅ Tools and digital content
✅ Training and capacity building
✅ Mentorship and professional development
✅ Infrastructure support (internet, labs, devices)
✅ Opportunities for student showcases, competitions, and grants
✅ Sustainability strategies (e.g., income-generating projects, policy alignment)
Partnerships turn aspirations into action. A school with a clear vision can go far—but with partners, it can go even farther.
Types of Partners Schools Can Work With
- Education Support Organizations / NGOs
These include local and international organizations that focus on improving education quality.
Examples:
- Edify Uganda – Offers ICT training, soft loans for equipment, and support with school sustainability.
- VVOB (Belgium Technical Cooperation) – Works on teacher development and digital pedagogy.
- War Child Holland, Brac, Plan International – Offer support for inclusive and digital education.
How to Engage: Write short proposals showing what your school has done so far (e.g., an active ICT club) and request support for scaling efforts.
- EduTech Companies and Startups
These organizations develop tools and provide technical support to schools, often at subsidized or free rates.
Examples:
- Sharebility Uganda – Provides open educational resources (OER), software, training materials, and EduTech mentorship.
- KAWA Uganda – Supplies digital content, ICT training, and school website support.
- Kolibri Africa – Supports offline digital learning platforms.
How to Engage:
- Invite EduTech companies to speak at a school event or training day.
- Use and publicize their tools (e.g., Sharebility software disks, club tutorials, competitions).
- Telecom Providers and ISPs
Internet access is a foundational need for digital transformation. Telecoms can support:
- School internet installation**
- Subsidized or zero-rated learning platforms**
- Sponsorship of coding and innovation challenges**
Examples:
- RENU (Research and Education Network of Uganda) – Offers high-speed internet for educational institutions.
- MTN Foundation – Sponsors digital learning labs, STEM fairs, and tech events.
- Airtel Uganda – Partners with schools in tech and learning initiatives.
Tip: Organize a “Tech Open Day” and invite local telecom reps to see student projects—they often have CSR funds waiting for compelling school initiatives.
- Government and District Education Offices (DEOs)
Government involvement ensures that EduTech initiatives align with national policy and receive recognition.
What They Offer:
- Endorsement and inspection support
- Linkage to Ministry of Education ICT plans
- Nomination of schools for national competitions
- Guidance on infrastructure standards and best practices
Engagement Tip: Submit termly activity reports and invite DEO officials to ICT exhibitions and staff development sessions.
- Universities and Teacher Training Institutions
Higher education institutions can provide:
- Student mentors and interns to support clubs
- Research partnerships on school innovation
- Teacher training workshops on advanced EduTech topics
- Guest speakers for student innovation days
Example: Kyambogo University students have mentored ICT clubs at Kampala schools as part of their final-year projects.
Steps to Engage External Partners
✅ 1. Document What You’re Already Doing
Before approaching any partner, compile a simple activity portfolio:
- Photos/videos of staff ICT training
- Reports on ICT club activities
- Student project samples
- Club constitution or annual plan
This builds trust and shows you’re not starting from scratch.
✅ 2. Create a One-Page Partnership Proposal
Include:
- Brief background of your school
- Current EduTech efforts and successes
- Challenges (e.g., internet access, few computers)
- What kind of support you’re seeking (training, equipment, mentoring)
- How the partner will be recognized (e.g., logo in school newsletter, event invitation)
✅ 3. Reach Out and Follow Up
- Send your proposal via email or hand-deliver it during school visits
- Leverage your networks—district officials, alumni, fellow teachers, and churches
- Tag partners on social media when posting your activities
- Follow up with a short thank-you message and regular updates
Example: After sharing their Scratch-based STEM animations on YouTube and tagging local EdTech organizations, a school in Wakiso received laptops and training materials from a donor agency.
Sustaining Partnerships for Long-Term Impact
Collaboration is not a one-time event; it is a long-term relationship.
Here’s how to keep it going:
- Acknowledge partners during school events and in newsletters
- Share regular reports or progress updates with partners
- Invite partners to speak to learners or judge innovation projects
- Give feedback on how the partnership helped learners or teachers grow
Real Case Studies
🏫 St. Theresa Secondary School, Luweero
Partnered with Sharebility Uganda to set up an offline digital library using Kolibri. Now, students access video lessons and textbooks even without the internet.
🌍 Hope Community School, Iganga
With support from Edify, the school received 5 laptops and staff training. Teachers now use Google Forms for assessments and record YouTube videos for lower primary revision.
🧑💻 Tororo Girls ICT Club
After sharing their digital projects at a local tech expo, they were invited to a national hackathon hosted by MTN and NITA-Uganda.
Conclusion: Don’t Walk Alone — Partner to Go Far
Your school doesn’t need to have it all figured out. You just need a vision, committed people, and the humility to seek support. External partners bring tools, experience, funding, and inspiration—but the initiative must start from within.
When schools partner with the right allies, even small steps lead to big change.
So, take that first step—write that proposal, send that email, invite that organization—and let’s build a future-ready school, together.
