Fifty schools receive computers under MASTES programme

Fifty first and second cycle schools in the Eastern Region have received 10 laptop computers each from Rlg Communications Limited, under the Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship (MASTES) programme.

The programme was initiated by the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education to promote teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science at the primary, junior and senior high school levels in the country.

At a presentation ceremony in Koforidua on Thursday, Mr Isaac Appiah, Head of Training of Rlg Communications Limited, said under the programme, 1,500 laptop computers would be distributed nationwide to underscore the practical implementation and progress of the Better Ghana Agenda Information Communication and Technology (ICT) project of the government.

He also announced that under the initiative, 4,500 teachers’ nationwide would benefit from hands-on practical training and experience with ICT devices and applications and about 310 of them had already been trained.

The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, said ICT was the driving force in the world presently and it was against that background that the government had decided to supply the computers to basic and Senior High Schools across the country to enhance teaching and learning.

He said the government, through the Ministry of Education, entered into partnership with Rlg Communications to supply the computers to the schools.

Mr Terlabi said it was unfortunate that majority of public schools, especially in the rural areas, did not have access to computers even though ICT was one of the subjects taught at the basic level.

“This situation does not provide a level playing field for pupils in rural areas who sit for the same examination in ICT with their counterparts in the urban areas,” he said.

He entreated Rlg communications to do its best in delivering quality computers and training for the beneficiaries.

Mr Terlabi urged the beneficiary schools to ensure that the computers would be used for the purpose they were presented and maintain them to ensure their longer lifespan.

Some of the beneficiary schools included Frankadua Local Authority (L/A) Junior School, Nkwantanang Methodist Basic School, Unit School for the Deaf at Kyebi, Pope John and Akyem Akokoaso Senior High School.

Source: GNA