Former President John Dramani Mahama’s accusations that the government’s “1 Student 1 Laptop” initiative is just a vote-buying tactic have been denied by the Ministry of Education.
The Education Ministry’s spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng, stressed that the program has a strategic goal of supporting the delivery of education and preparing Ghanaian students for the challenges of the digital age.
Former President John Dramani Mahama claimed that by giving out computers, the policy’s beneficiaries—students who fall within the voting demographic—are being singled out for political advantage.
Speaking in response, Mr. Kwarteng stated again on Eyewitness News that the goal of the government is to raise educational standards in order to guarantee that Ghanaian students are competitive in the global arena and to fulfill the expectations of the fourth industrial revolution.
He went on to say that the “1 Student 1 Laptop” program goes beyond high schools and, with the advent of smart schools, now includes elementary education as well.
“For some time now, the Ministry of Education has been repositioning Ghana’s education to meet what is happening in this fourth industrial revolution. And it is even more reason why even though the government has promised free SHS education, we have also gone beyond that to introduce STEM which is something that this government never promised.
“But with the fourth industrial revolution, it has become very relevant and we cannot just sweep that under the carpet. The digitisation concept is the conversation now, it is the order for the day. All over the world, countries that have been able to use education as the focal point to be able to turn their socio-economic fortunes have been through education.
“But not just any other ordinary education but one that is very relevant within the fourth industrial revolution. That is the reason why we have been talking about STEM and digitisation. In 2021, no elections were impending but the Ministry of Education as part of the effort to reposition Ghana’s education to meet what is happening in this 21st century, deployed 3500 laptops to teachers, at that time, there was no election in view or campaign.
“But it is the continuation of that process. The effort to position Ghana’s education that is why we are also introducing things like smart schools. That is not even limited to those within the senior high schools. It has even gone beyond that to the basic schools” he stated.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
