The Ministry of Education has handed over a total of 7,200 laptop computers to basic schools in the Ashanti region to support the teaching and learning of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
300 basic schools will each have a set of 24 laptops to aid teaching and learning in general and the study of ICT lessons in particular.
The computers were assembled in Ghana by Rlg Communications Ltd for the implementation of the Basic School Computerization Project (BSCP) being executed by the Ministry of Education with funding from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND).
Additionally, each school will have a set of trolleys and other accessories to aid the use of the computers intended to improve academic work and computer literacy in schools.
Education Minister, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang handed over the equipment to the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr Kofi Safo Kantanka at a ceremony attended by hundreds of school children, teachers and district and metropolitan heads of education.
The Minister, who was performing her first public function since assuming office lauded the contribution of teachers towards education delivery but warned against practices by few teachers whose actions derail gains made.
“We owe it a duty to ourselves to ensure the future development of our children”, she told the gathering.
She announced that a Windows 7 programme will be installed on all computers supplied so far at cost of GHC 7.8m to be funded by Rlg Communications to enable the use of more Apps for educational purposes.
She urged good use of the computers to maximize their benefits.
Outgoing Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong said government will continue to offer the needed support to improve teaching and learning in all levels of education.
The Regional Director of Education, Kofi Safo Kantanka expressed gratitude to government for the gesture.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Mr Enoch Cobbinah; the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, madam Benedicta Naana Biney; Executive Director of the National Service Scheme, Vincent Kuagbenu and the Regional Education Directors from the Brong Ahafo, Upper East and Upper West Regions.
The Ashanti Region becomes the last region to take delivery of the Rlg branded laptops.