Wisdom Larry Quarme-Doe, the CEO of the UNIWIZ Foundation, has said that digital learning in Ghana hinges on more than just the provision of ICT centres. Speaking at a two-day training for ICT coordinators in the Greater Accra Region, Mr Quarme-Doe emphasized the need to equip teachers with the skills to effectively utilize these facilities.
Advanced Digital Skills Training Programme Launched
The UNIWIZ Foundation has introduced an Advanced Digital Skills Training programme for Ghana Education Service (GES) ICT coordinators. This programme aims to equip ICT coordinators with skills that will improve the delivery of ICT education in classrooms. The training is part of the foundation's efforts to complement the provision of ICT centres for schools by strengthening the capacity of educators responsible for digital learning.
Mr Quarme-Doe said the initiative is intended to empower educators responsible for ICT education in schools. "We want to train the IT coordinators," he said. "We are starting with the Greater Accra Region, but we plan to extend the programme to other regions."
Combining ICT Facilities with Educator Training
The UNIWIZ Foundation has begun constructing ICT centres for schools across the country. However, Mr Quarme-Doe noted that the provision of ICT facilities must be accompanied by investment in the skills of teachers responsible for helping pupils acquire digital skills. "If we are providing these e-libraries or ICT centres for schools to ensure or promote digital literacy, then it is very important that the people who are making sure that these children or students acquire these skills or education in digital literacy are also enhanced to propagate that initiative," he said.
Partnership with GES and Switzerland
The foundation is working with the GES to extend the programme to other parts of the country. Mr Quarme-Doe expressed appreciation to the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana for supporting the training. The partnership will help more ICT facilitators develop skills relevant to their work. The training is the second edition for the Greater Accra Region, and the foundation plans to take the programme to other regions, including the Ashanti and Eastern regions.
Digital Education Becoming Increasingly Important
Mr Quarme-Doe noted that the need to strengthen digital education is becoming more important as technology increasingly shapes education and other aspects of everyday life. "We are in a world where you cannot do away with digital education. Everything is now IT," he said. The foundation's involvement in the National Juniors Challenge has given it access to schools across the country, helping it identify gaps in ICT infrastructure.
Impact on Pupils
The combination of providing ICT centres and training for educators will help ensure that pupils become the direct beneficiaries of the initiative. "We believe that the initiative we have introduced and the training we are giving to the educators or their facilitators, in other words, the coordinators, would go a long way to eventually impact the children who are going to be the direct beneficiaries of these ICT centres we are setting up," Mr Quarme-Doe said.
The UNIWIZ Foundation's efforts to strengthen digital education in schools are crucial for the country's future. As technology continues to shape education and other aspects of everyday life, it is essential that educators are equipped with the skills to effectively utilize ICT facilities. The foundation's initiative is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that it will be extended to other regions and schools across the country.
Source: Joy Online
