ICT can facilitate quality education - VC

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, (UEW) Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, has stated that Information Communication Technology (ICT) has the antidote for addressing illiteracy and improving the quality of education at all levels. He said through multi-media capabilities such as simulations and models, ICT could give learners access to concepts that they could not grasp previously. Prof Asabre-Ameyaw made this known at the 31st Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the Edinaman Senior High School at Elmina, in the Central Region, at the weekend. It was under the theme, "Quality Education Delivery, the role of ICT." He noted that with literacy in ICT students can work at their pace, pursue their own interests and develop skills for employment and reduce poverty. Prof Asabere-Ameyaw stressed that the introduction of internet technology had helped to expose students to a variety of information and also enabled them to interact with both the expert and the novice. The Vice Chancellor urged secondary schools to expand and improve on the use of all kinds of ICTs to make their lives more comfortable. He, consequently, applauded Senior High Schools for replacing "bell boys and girls" with automatic alarms. Mr Francis Amponsah Amanfu, Headmaster of the school, appealed to the government and other stakeholders in education to help tar the road from Elmina to the school. He said it was sad that during dry season it becomes difficult to stay on campus because of excessive dust in the environment, with its destructive effect on the buildings and machines. Mr Amanfu, however, said the pressing issue confronting the school was accommodation for teachers, explaining that out of the 53 teachers only 10 had accommodation on campus. He expressed concern about the frequent water shortage in the school and appealed to the government and other well-to- do citizens of Elmina to help solve the perennial problem. Sir Dr Anthony Annan-Prah, Chairman of the Board of Governors, who chaired the function, appealed to parents to be cautious about their spending during the Christmas festivities to save money for fees when school reopens.