Kampala — THE Government has resolved to make Computer Science compulsory in secondary schools.

Eriya Kategaya, the First Deputy Prime Minister, on Tuesday said the Cabinet had approved the proposal so as to promote the development of information communication technologies (ICT).

"If you do not have Computer Science, you are out of touch with the World," he said. Kategaya, who was flanked by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kuteesa, was at the Media Centre to brief journalists on the first tripartite summit for regional economic blocs that began yesterday at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

The meeting is scheduled to discuss trade, infrastructure and ICTs amongst countries of East Africa Community (EAC), COMESA and SADC.

Computer Science will be the eighth compulsory subject at secondary school. Other subjects are Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography and History.

However, Computer Science was not one of the subjects listed on the new curriculum, which was recently halted.

According to the education ministry's publicist, Aggrey Kibenge, making Computer Science compulsory is part of what has to be implemented in the new curriculum. "Emphasis among other issues has been put on development of the Information, communication and technology," he said.

He added that this is meant for all schools in the country, government-aided or not."