IT skills are vital to children in Ghana
After learning to read and write in English, teachers in Ghana recognise that IT skills are the next most important lessons in schools – but there are hardly any computers for children to use.
IT lessons in the schools in the Dominase area are based on illustrations in text books: diagrams of keyboards, photographs of laptops and descriptions of drop-down menus etc. It is no surprise that few children obtain good results in IT examinations.
A small number of laptop computers was taken to Dominase on a visit at the beginning of February so that a trial can begin in one of the schools.
As well as effects on learning, it will be crucial to see how well the machines can be looked after and supported. It is likely that some considerable period of time will need to pass before any judgements are possible – but initial observations of lessons in a range of age groups was very positive, with teachers already appearing to have the necessary knowledge and abilities.
