Africa-Press – Uganda. The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni and the French Ambassador to Uganda, Jules- Armand Aniambossou, have met and discussed issues of cooperation in education and sports.
The French ambassador, who was in the company of Yves Mercier, the head of cultural section; Miss Lucille Fonatine, the cultural attache and William Blick, the president of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), called on the First Lady at her office in State House Nakasero on Friday.
The meeting was also attended by the education ministry’s under-secretary for finance and administration, Ketty Lamaro and the director for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (HTVET), Dr Jane Egau Okou.
Among the areas of co-operation discussed was the partnerships with some universities in Uganda, teaching of the French language in schools, promoting e-learning and the possibility of establishing an international sports academy in the country.
Mrs Museveni said the priorities in the education sector that require support in this season revolve around addressing challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially supporting the children while they are in school and those still out of school.
She said the Government is enthusiastic about e-learning because it will enable students to continue with their education, even when situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, that do not allow schools to be open arise.
The First Lady said universities have created e-learning platforms, which students are now utilising to continue with their education.
She welcomed the idea of having an international sports academy in the country, if there are partners willing to support the Government to build such an academy that will benefit young Ugandans to develop their sport talents.
Mrs Museveni explained that although the new curriculum encourages the study of sciences, it does not stop students interested in studying foreign languages to do so. She added that many Ugandans have learnt foreign languages, including French and often work as translators.
She said she would like to see the relations and partnerships between the French embassy and Uganda’s education and sports sector continue to grow.
Blick said setting up a sports academy in the country will ensure a structured approach and an environment in which athletes can be identified, groomed and nurtured to become the best in the world.
He presented an opportunity for partnership with Olympique Marseille, one of the biggest and oldest football clubs in France, that will promote Uganda’s strength and potential in our youth and the country’s image internationally.
He said the international sports academy will also be used to promote youth empowerment and employment through the economy of sport, and if established in Uganda, it will be the second in Africa after Senegal.
Blick thanked the First Lady for her efforts in promoting education and sports, saying a lot has been accomplished and there is still room to empower the youth.
