Though Information Technology (IT) is the way up for growth in every society, many public basic schools in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region still struggle to understudy the subject due to the unavailability of computers.
Undoubtedly, the government of Ghana under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on several occasions made known some of the efforts it has committed and continues to make in expanding the scope through practical strategies. Many people especially those in the extremely rural communities wonder if such will make the needed impact as the practical study of IT at various public basic schools continued to lack behind.
A visit to some of the basic schools by A1 Radio’s reporter, Moses Apiah, showed that only 2 out of every 10 basic schools visited have at least a desktop computer or a teacher’s laptop to advance pupils’ studies.
At the Kalbeo-Tindonsibligo Junior High School, one of the deprived IT schools in the Municipality, the school only has two (RL|G laptops) serving close to a total of 180 students.
Some of the students who spoke to the reporter expressed their disappointment at the subject as they still lack the practical aspect.
A student said “I don’t like studying IT. Since I was promoted to JHS, we haven’t seen or touched a real computer. How do we compete with others?”
Another student also indicated that he was yet to touch a real computer aside from those they usually see in the textbooks.
“I’m now tired of seeing the textbooks computers, I want to touch and use a computer. I’m in form two, yet my school doesn’t have a computer”, he added.
The worrying situation, however, aided Naa Albert, an IT specialist in the Bolgatanga Municipality in designing an initiative called Northbridge aimed at devising practical strategies to tackle the situation amongst the pupils.
Mr Naa together with his team since the formation of the initiative has visited three basic schools within the Bolgatanga Municipality to impact practical IT knowledge to pupils.
The goals, Mr Naa said “… to build a technological bridge in Northern Ghana to make way for the mass exodus of our people from being Tech ignorant to Tech Savvy. We believe this will bring about life-enhancing opportunities that have previously been impossible to come by.”
The specialist who heads Norgence IT Solutions in Bolgatanga, however, called on individuals and other bodies to assist in visualizing and achieving the goal.
The Municipality Chief Executive who was not also happy with the situation pledged to do more.
He indicated “Yes, it’s a situation that all and sundry need to put their focus on. And I must say that my outfit will do its best to curtail it.”
Mr Rex Asanga stressed further that his outfit will soon draft proposals seeking support from stakeholders in IT to come to the pupils’ aid.
A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga|Ghana
