Gov’t To Build 100 Smart Schools

…1.3 million SHS, TVET Students To Receive Tablets

Under government’s latest flagship Ghana Smart Schools project, some 1.3 million Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training [TVET] students across the country, are expected to receive Smart Tablets.

President Akufo-Addo, who disclosed this at the launch of the project yesterday Monday, March 25, in Accra said, the government would build 100 smart Senior High Schools across the country.

According to him, 30 of such schools, will be constructed before the end of this year, adding that the project will significantly transform the sector.

He announced, his government is also offering a discount price tablets and laptops to both students and lecturers at the tertiary level.

The project is part of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration’s Free Senior High School (FSHS) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) policies.

It is intended to, especially equip students under the free SHS policy with essential technological skills, aligning with the government’s commitment to advancing education through technology.

“To distribute 1.3 million educational tablets to students in SHSs. That is one student, and one tablet under the Ghana Smart Schools Project. The tablets are fitted with digital content to aid research, teaching and learning.

“At the tertiary level, Ghana is pleased to provide at a discounted price tablets and laptops to students and lecturers to facilitate academic [activities]… The government continues to seek innovative ways to do STEM and the FSHS policy”, the President said in his address.

President Akufo-Addo, further disclosed that approximately 100 smart SHSs are slated for construction across the country within the next two years, aiming to enhance the learning environment and educational opportunities for students nationwide.

The Ghana Smart Schools project, is part of efforts by the government to enhance e-learning and digitalization.

“The government continues to seek innovative ways to boost further the Free SHS policy. The government is convinced that the next phase of Free SHS enhancement will be propelled by digitization.

“This will alone a seamless online and offline teaching and learning experience. Indeed, the enhanced Free SHS will be environmentally friendly, boost academic performance fitted with info active display and learning as improve productivity. Which is what is giving birth to the Ghana Smart School project,” President Akufo-Addo disclosed.

He continued: “The project seeks to deepen the application of IT in teaching and learning at the second cycle level. It will ultimately enhance the performance of students and prepare them better for higher learning in competitive careers in the future.

“The other component of the Ghana Smart School project is the provision of modernized infrastructure. The government intends to build one hundred smart schools across the country.”

On his part, the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, said government is committed to initiate programmes to enhance educational standards in the country, notwithstanding the current economic challenges.

According to Dr Adutwum, the administration of President Akufo-Addo, will ensure that no child is left behind when it comes to education.

The Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bosomtwe constituency, said the government would continue to invest in the sector.

Dr Adutwum revealed that “[Someone] looked at me and said so you are doing all these in the midst of economic challenges, and I said that is what a visionary president does. To ensure that we build a strong and robust education for the economy this economy will stand the test of time. This is the foundation.”

The initiative aims to bolster senior high school education by providing teaching and learning management systems, digital learning content and electronic devices to all senior high and TVET schools nationwide.

The Ghana Smart School’s project is in fulfillment of the Education for Sustainable Development Agenda which is considered a key driver for rapid socio-economic transformation.

Source: Anchorghana.com