Digital lessons for kindergartens to take off soon - Education Minister hints at KETASCO anniversary

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has re-affirmed the government’s stance to introduce digital lessons for children in kindergartens.

This will continue progressively through the basic and second cycle levels to tertiary institutions, he said.

Pursuant to that Mr Iddrisu said the government would commit resources and great zeal to support the training of pupils and students in that area to make them competent and globally competitive in their chosen careers, he added.

“The future is digital and we must respond accordingly,” he said at the 72nd anniversary durbar of Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO) on Saturday.

The celebration was on the theme: “Bridging the generational gap – Harnessing our legacy, inspiring the future”.

The minister of education touched on the ongoing national education forum, and said the Free Senior High School policy, for instance, did not adequately prepare the large number of beneficiaries to enter tertiary institutions.

“In many instances, there were inadequate structures to absorb them into the tertiary institutions”, the minister said.

He said the recommendations from the forum would form the sound basis to address those problems effectively.

Mr Iddrisu commended KETASCO for producing men and women of substance for the nation over the decades, saying the government would definitely support the school to continue to contribute to Ghana’s progress and human resource base.

Mr Iddrisu, who was a special guest, gave an assurance that  immediate steps would be taken to provide a  wall around the girls’ dormitories in addition to decent toilets and bathrooms, and later a befitting dining hall and an auditorium for the school.

He later launched the Stan- Matanawi Award for the best male and female students of KETASCO for the next 10 years

Guest of honour

The Dean of the University of Cape Coast Business School, Professor John Gatsi, a product of KETASCO, shedding light on the theme, said there was a generational hustle in which entrepreneurial young people engaged in multiple activities but had no positive income stream, no quality life, and no hope of building sustainable families, with the risk-loving ones crossing over to other countries beyond Africa.

“In Ghana, our economic outcomes have been undulating and mostly eroding gains made in past efforts; currently the level of poverty and inclusive productivity are low and frustrate the hopes of your people,” Prof. Gatsi, who was guest of honour pointed out.

He maintained that building a productive economy that generated opportunities for young people was the best legacy to ensure a better future.

“We should build a productive economy which is inclusive to employ our people who complete senior high school and tertiary institutions, bearing in mind an economy that does not create opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurial ventures is risky,” he said.

Further, Prof. Gatsi said education and training were the best tools to bridge the generation gap occasioned by changes in technology, value systems, politics and life expectancy.

In that regard, he explained, allowing the younger generation to participate in governance at various levels, including ministerial, cabinet, Council of State, Parliament, economic planning, technology and policy committees, helped to bridge the gap because they preferred involvement over decision-making without them at the table.

Headmaster

The headmaster of the school, Innocent K. Augustt, said KEASCO, which took off 72 years ago with25 students now had an enrolment of 4,690.

He said the school had no pick-up vehicle for administrative functions, and that was very frustrating.

Mr Augustt said the school also needed ICT tools such as laptop computers and projectors in the classrooms for effective presentation of lessons, and in response to the New Standard Based Curriculum.

In that vein, he appealed for the setting up of the two new computer laboratories for the school.
                           

School prefect

The school prefect, Ewoenam Faith Bessie, said KETASCO was still an icon of hope for many young people, for which reason a high standard of hygiene must be maintained on the campus to uphold its sterling image.

Chairman

The Paramount Chief of Amugo-Wego, Togbi Tenge Dzokoto Gligui VII, who graced the occasion, entreated the students to study diligently towards a brighter future.

“Use your youthful exuberance to build your future now,” said Togbi Gligui, an old student of KETASCO.