60,000 computers for Ghanaian basic schools

Government has officially launched the Basic School Computerisation Project, aimed at distributing over 60,000 computers to schools by the end of 2012.

The initiative is been implemented by the Ministry of Education in partnership with rlg Communications, forms part of the e-school policy that involves the use of ICT in teaching and learning at the basic education level.

Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Minister of Education, launching the project in Accra under the theme: “ICT as a Tool for Development at the Basic Level Education,” said:

“Government is committed to providing ICT tool and equipment to facilitate learning in basic schools. In doing so, it is the determination of government to ensure that by the end of 2012 a good number of basic schools would have access to ICTs across the country.

“It is our hope that by end of 2013 Ghana will be competing with the likes of South Africa in terms of ICT in Education.”

She observed: “In this knowledge-based world, with a knowledge economy today we cannot afford to dey our children the opportunity to access the internet. Through ICT, Ghana can go a long way to compete with others countries.
“Indications are that services have exceeded training in the national economy- we need to maintain this in order to achieve the middle income bracket. Aggressive use of ICTs is a tool of development.”
She explained that to avoid the situation where the computers would remain on the shelves without being used, the Ministry and rlg communications had already started training teachers who would further teach the pupils about computer usage.

“There is an agreement with the management of rlg to provide after sales services to users of the products.”

Mrs Mould-Iddrisu expressed appreciation that the computers were assembled in Ghana by rlg for use by Ghanaians and particularly teachers and students, saying, “equipping teachers and children with the complexities of ICT were the surest ways to expose children to the larger world.

“ICTs excite and stimulate their minds and hopefully this will drive them to compete with young minds from elsewhere”.

Mrs Mould-Iddrisu revealed that the Ministry was collaborating with the Ministry of Energy to extend electricity to deprived schools that had no electricity supply to enable them have access and use their computers, under the project which would be extended to senior high and technical schools.

Mr. Roland Agambire, Chief Executive Officer of rlg Communications, said the company was happy for the opportunity to partner the Ministry to undertake such a laudable project to help pupils and teachers for effective teaching and learning.

He said: “I would be extremely excited to see you make good use of this gesture for your own personal development and subsequently the development of those you are training to become future leaders. rlg will always be available for any assistance in this regard”.

Mr. Agambire would offer discounted rates on their computers to all Ministers of State as well as offer credit and hire purchase scheme to teachers.