David Akpaloo Urges Government to Prioritize Education Initiatives
The Chief Executive Officer of Monarch Education Hub and Educationist, David Akpaloo, has criticized the government for neglecting its duty to provide necessary support to schools, such as learning and teaching materials, for an extended period. He emphasized that despite the introduction of the Free Senior High School program, essential resources like curriculum, textbooks, and teaching materials have been lacking, warranting immediate attention.
According to reports, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, has faced challenges in supplying textbooks to primary and kindergarten levels since 2019. Furthermore, preparations for the new curriculum at the Junior High School level have been hindered by the lack of teacher training.
Speaking on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owus in Accra, David Akpaloo highlighted these issues. He questioned the government’s prioritization of providing laptops to Senior High School students over addressing fundamental deficiencies in educational resources.
Last year, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia announced the government’s plan to provide laptops to each SHS student. While this move aims to enhance access to educational materials by preloading textbooks and programs, skepticism remains among stakeholders.
Reverend Isaac Owusu, President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), expressed doubts about the ‘one student, one laptop’ policy, citing the government’s failure to fulfill previous commitments, such as the ‘one teacher, one laptop’ initiative. He stressed the importance of prioritizing existing promises and addressing basic needs before introducing new policies.
Rev. Owusu revealed that teachers at various levels, including primary and administration, have yet to receive laptops promised under previous initiatives. He urged the government to focus on fulfilling these commitments before embarking on new projects.
Despite intentions to replace textbooks with laptops in Senior High Schools by the end of 2023, as announced by Dr. Bawumia, implementation has yet to materialize. This ambitious initiative has sparked diverse reactions on social media, reflecting a mix of anticipation, skepticism, and concerns about its practicality and impact on students.
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