Smart Schools Project to be extended to gov’t basic schools – MoE

After introducing the Ghana Smart Schools Project at the public Senior High School level, the Ministry of Education (MoE) says plans are underway for the project to be extended to government basic schools across the country

A spokesman for the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng speaking on JoyNews Pulse show said the Smart Schools project is not only limited to Senior High Schools and his outfit has plans to launch a new initiative that focuses on STEM classrooms.

Reacting to the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama’s allegation that the distribution of the free tablets under the Smart Schools Project is to secure votes in the upcoming election, he urged Ghanaians to disregard the claim.

The Education Ministry Public Relations Officer (PRO) urged the members of the general public particularly students to consider the long-term impact of government policies, rather than rushing to judge them based on political affiliation.

“We need to have a strong and clear balance and try to distinguish the politics of the day from very sensitive national issues,” he said adding that the NDC must understand the changing trends in education in the global dynamics.

“We are not training students just to read and write alone. We are not training students to memorize and chew and pour. We are training assertive students, who are critical thinkers, who are problem-solvers and who at the end of the day, the kind of education that they will have will have an impact on the socioeconomic transformation,” he noted.

Launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, over 1.3 million students in government Senior High Schools across the country will receive the student mate 1 tablet procured by the central government to enhance education.

Speaking at the launch of SM1 tablets, Akufo-Addo disclosed that about 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.

“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 next phase of Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy enhancement will be propelled by digitalisation. This will allow a seamless online and offline teaching and learning experience,” Nana Akufo-Addo said at the free tablet launch.