Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has disclosed that the Government will soon commence the distribution of smart tablets to Senior High School students.
The distribution will kick off at the Opoku Ware School in the Ashanti Region.
President Akufo-Addo recently inaugurated the Smart School Project, which aims to distribute 1.3 million smart tablets to students nationwide.
The project aims to provide students under the Free SHS policy with tools that enhance teaching and learning through technology.
During a visit to the Opoku Ware School, Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum announced that the tablets would be distributed at the school in the coming weeks.
He also reassured that measures are being taken to ensure the effective implementation of the initiative.
“Within the next two weeks, we will improve internet connectivity at your school. We are also looking at solar panels on your classroom buildings so that connectivity will not be interrupted because you don’t have electricity. The smart box will be in at least 10 classrooms, that will, be phase 1. Eventually, when you become a smart school fully, the smart box will be in all classrooms.
“We will begin with phase 1, not everything may be online, but with time, your homework, all class activities, lessons, everything will be online, you will be able to take assessment. And with the help of AI, you will get the results instantly. I want you to use the device in a way that will be productive.”
Already, certain students at the Opoku Ware School have created applications designed to enhance learning with the introduction of smart tablets.
Reverend Stephen Owusu Sekyere, the Headteacher of Opoku Ware School and President of the Conference of Assisted Secondary Schools, has advocated for a policy guideline to support the implementation of the project.
“Even though we’re afraid of what this tablet could bring to the school, especially some of the negative side of it. Like attracting thieves and students stealing from each other, and the kind of trouble they are going to give us when we give the tablets to them.
“With education and proper monitoring, we will be able to give them to use. We want them to expedite the policy guidelines so that the students can use them on a pilot basis.”
The Minister then visited the Presbyterian Girls’ School, encouraging students not to let their current surroundings hinder their future ambitions.
He announced the introduction of a Science program at the school and the construction of a fence to enhance student security.
Furthermore, the Minister stated that the Government plans to implement additional technological initiatives to enhance Ghana’s education sector.
