The initiative, aimed towards advancing computer literacy and technological knowhow of young Ghanaian students, will see government providing pre-programmed laptops to each SHS student across the county.
A statement by the Ministry of Education said the initiative “aligns with government’s efforts to enhance e-learning and digitalization,” as well as “supports government’s goal of leveraging technological advancements to prepare Ghanaian students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” also known as digital age.
With the laptops, students do not have to continue with the age-long practice of carrying text books.
Distribution of the laptops to SHS students will commence on Monday, March 25, right after the launch by the President.
In furtherance of Ghana’s digitalisation agenda in the education sector, government plans to distribute 1.3 million educational tablets to students in senior high school which aligns with government’s efforts to enhance e-learning and digitalisation.
Each student, would be provided a pre-programmed laptop with a comprehensive teaching and learning management systems and digital learning contents to facilitate research, teaching and learning.
This initiative, known as the “Ghana Smart School Project, implemented by the Ministry of Education/Ghana Education Service, as an extension of the Free SHS and TVET, is aimed towards advancing computer literacy and technological know-how of young Ghanaian students.
The project also supports government’s goal of leveraging technological advancements to prepare Ghanaian students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as the digital age.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, President Akufo-Addo said the initiative would further bolster SHS education by providing a Teaching and Learning Management System, Digital Learning Content, and educational devices to all Senior High and TVET schools nationwide.
On 27th of February 2024, whilst delivering the message on the state of the nation to Parliament, President Akufo-Addo intimated that the government would begin the rollout of the one tablet per student policy at all senior high schools.
“It is intended to be a great tool to help bridge the gap between disadvantaged and privileged students and today I have the singular honour of launching officially yet another intervention to to add further impetus to what I’ve already described as a transformative policy that has broken myths and liberated minds, the Free senior high school program,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo said the Ghana schools Small Schools Project is in alignment with government’s promise to enhance the Free senior high school program and leverage technological advancements to enable Ghanaian students compete globally.
The “one student one tablet” initiative according to the President is in fulfilment of the education for sustainable development agenda, a key element in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals number four, which priorities quality education a key driver for the attainment of all 17 SDGs.
The project, the President said would provide the needed infrastructure to deepen and facilitate the application of e-learning and digitalisation to boost high school education in the country.
He said Government is convinced that the next phase of Free SHS enhancement will be propelled by digitalisation, hence this “one student on laptop initiative” would allow a seamless online and offline teaching and learning experience.
In furtherance to entrenched digitalisation and ultimately enhance the performance of students and prepare them better for higher learning and the competitive careers, Government intends to build 100 Smart schools across the country.
The first 30 of these, President Akufo-Addo disclosed would be completed this year (2024) and the remaining 70 expected to be completed in the next two years.
“And for the avoidance of doubt, the President said it is planned that the 100 Smart Schools will be located in the various cities and towns in all the 16 regions.
President Akufo-Addo touted his administration’s monumental strides in the digitalisation agenda, and singled out for praise the leadership role of the vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, popularly called Dr. Digitalisation.
The President also commended the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Adutwum for his foresight in transforming the educational sector.
Government is determined to derive the optimum benefits in the Twin areas of education and digitalisation the President disclosed and added that Government’s investment and commitment towards education enhancement over the last seven years is unmatched by any government since the inception of Ghana’s Fourth Republic, Some 31 years ago
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