The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has announced the imminent delivery of the first batch of 450,000 free student tablets, fully funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND). These tablets are part of a larger initiative to distribute 1.3 million tablets to students in public senior high schools and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.
Dr. Adutwum revealed that the tablet distribution process will be carried out in three phases, with the first phase involving the delivery of 450,000 devices to 32 schools across 16 areas. This phased approach aims to ensure an effective and systematic distribution process without overwhelming the system.
Also read: Kudus Scores as West Ham Lose Seven-Goal Thriller to Newcastle
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile program, Dr. Adutwum outlined the features of the student tablets, noting that each tablet comes with a keyboard that can be used as a laptop or a tablet. Additionally, the tablets include a power bank and a solar panel for charging, addressing concerns about unreliable power supplies.
Furthermore, Dr. Adutwum emphasized that the introduction of tablets is part of a broader effort to digitize the education sector and gradually phase out traditional textbooks. To facilitate the integration of tablets into the curriculum, ICT coordinators in schools have been providing teacher training, ensuring that educators are equipped to leverage technology effectively in their teaching methods.
Clarifying misconceptions about the cost of the tablets, Dr. Adutwum stated that the unit price per tablet is $250, not 250 Ghana cedis. The total cost for the first 450,000 tablets is estimated at 112 million cedis, with the entire 1.3 million tablets amounting to 337 million Ghana cedis.
Overall, the distribution of free student tablets represents a significant step towards enhancing digital learning and equipping students with the necessary tools to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
